Swim and Dive Qualifies for Regions, Sets New Records

The Swim and Dive team dove into their district competition on Saturday, Jan. 19, and emerged with several new region qualifiers and new records.

The pressure ran high in the week leading up as swimmers dutifully went to their early morning practices and trained hard. Knowing that only the top six finishers would move on to region pushed everyone to perfect their techniques before the big day.

“For diving my goal was to just do my best and not get disqualified because this was my second 11 dive competition and all I had to do to make it was to not get disqualified,” captain, Karson Gopffarth explained. “My swim goals were much more ambitious because this would definitely not be my first swim meet and I was seated second in the 50 free and I wanted first and to beat my time so bad.”

Gopffarth swam all three previous years but decided to change it up his senior year and try out diving. He surprised himself by making region after not being able to practicing as much this year, and managed to not only make region in the 50 Freestyle, but also became the district champion.

“At high school swim meets I’ve never expected much,” Gopffarth reflected. “There are usually much bigger guys who are older and put way more work into the sport than I do, but when I realized I had a chance to become first and then actually did, it was amazing.”

Another district champion and a newcomer to the swim team was freshman, Chloe Burgar. Throughout the season she trained in both high school practices as well as on her club team, Lakeside Aquatic Club, knowing that eventually her hard work would pay off.

“Going into districts my main goal was to stay focused on improving my times [and] placing top three in everything I swam,” Burgar said. “I’m also really proud of our girls for getting third overall.”

Multiple pasta parties, inside jokes and early practices made for a stronger bond, clearly seen as teammates cheered each other on from practice to meet. Though it was the end of the season for some, the team will continue supporting their fellow swimmers as they continue the journey.

“The team as a whole, I think will do really well. I know our girls’ relays are really strong and our guys’ relays can get up there if we push ourselves enough,” Gopffarth said. “Plus I definitely think we’ll get some state qualifiers this year.”