If you’re like certain members of The Blue and White, you may be surprised to hear that the swim team is not only continuing this year, they’ve managed to make the best out of the situation, as well. Curious as to what their goals were in what’s starting to feel like an apocalyptic landscape, we took to asking one of the coaches, as well as both swim team captains.

Coach Seagrave, one of the coaches of the swim teams, made clear that COVID-19 wasn’t going to buffer their plans of winning. She thoroughly explains that, “The most significant change [because of COVID-19] besides social distancing and wearing masks was that we switched from our small‘home’ pool at Camp Wewa to swimming at Lake Brantley so that we could utilize the space that their pool‘s 22 lanes provides us. It’s a really nice pool. We‘ve been lucky!” Naturally, in response to such an optimistic reply, the question of what their goals were was asked. She very proudly (and maybe a little competitively) stated, “My main goal for this season was to ensure the safety of our swimmers by making sure we were social distancing in the pool and wearing our masks on the pool deck. The second goal is always to BEAT WEKIVA… Which we did. At both meets that we swam against them.” This certainly won’t be the last we hear of that combative spirit. 

Kaelyn Gadberry focuses more on the camaraderie than the competition, detailing how the adjustment period has been a little hard for those used to the old swimming arrangements. “At our meets and practices, whenever we weren’t swimming, we had to keep a mask on and be socially distant so our normal pool where we practiced last year, we couldn’t use. So this year almost everything was held at Brantley from 7-9 which is a significant change when last year practices and meets were at the YMCA Camp Wewa just 10 minutes from the school from 3-5.” It’s been understandably harder on them, but that doesn’t deter her from adding on that just about anyone who’s willing should join. “Come out and try it even if it‘s just for one practice. It may be scary at first, but you will have such a great time making friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.” 

Ryan McConnell, our second swim team captain, shares a similar optimism for people who are interested in joining the team. He also explains that the guidelines to him are barely even noticeable. “My advice would be that I know for most kids the first 2 weeks usually provide a significant challenge, even to those who are well rounded athletes. Swimming is a different kind of endurance needed and also the sport that uses the most muscle groups so kids will be going home feeling sore in places they didn’t know possible. But once you get past the initial stages the endurance part becomes insignificant and you can focus and specifics to your swimming and practice becomes much more fun. So my main point of advice is that if you show enough tenacity the results will show and give you something to be proud of.” On top of this, “My advice would be that I know for most kids the first 2 weeks usually provide a significant challenge, even to those who are well rounded athletes. Swimming is a different kind of endurance needed and also the sport that uses the most muscle groups so kids will be going home feeling sore in places they didn’t know possible. But once you get past the initial stages the endurance part becomes insignificant and you can focus and specifics to your swimming and practice becomes much more fun. So my main point of advice is that if you show enough tenacity the results will show and give you something to be proud of.” 

So if you were interested but afraid, join the swim team! They run a tight ship but promise a fun experience to anyone who joins. If you need a workout or just a new friend group, swimming might be exactly what you’re looking for.