The Cavalier Swim Team had a very successful season, winning their first four dual meets against teams such as St. Joseph’s, Greenville High, and Daniel. Senior captains Cameron Beach and Whit Rooke lead the team, but it is overall very well-rounded.
Rooke, Beach, and other seniors Ryan Simmons and Philipp Schmitz-Justen are very consistent and experienced. In addition, the younger swimmers are very important contributors, including Rak Hovart. “He is a hopeful freshman!” said Simmons. In addition, the Baker twins, Maddie and Sydney, show promise for years to come, as well as some very talented middle schoolers.
Despite the numerous meets and amount of success the team had, there was a lack of support. Rooke joked, “We don’t get many fans. We are our own fans. We cheer for ourselves.” However, this did not keep the team from striving to do their best, as they finished with a winning record.
The swimmers began practice during the hot summer days of August in order to prepare for the upcoming season. According to some of them, there was no time for slacking because Coach Park Owings amped up the practice sets from last year. When asked about practices, Simmons said, “It’s about pain.”
The Cavalier Swim Team made an appearance at the State meet on Saturday, October 5. Most of the high school swimmers made it in at least one event, and even some middle schoolers qualified. Sydney Baker won two events, the 200 Free and 100 Breast. Her sister, Maddie Baker, got second and third in the 200 IM and 100 Fly, respectively. The girls’ team also won first place in the medley relay and stepped on the top of the podium with nothing but smiles. At the end of the day, the girls took sixth place overall, and the boys, who swam hard and gave it their all, took third. It was a great day for the Cavaliers, and an even better way to end the season, especially for the Senior swimmers.