This swim and dive season, the Atoms have excelled to new feats, with swimmers greatly improving upon their skills while encouraging their teammates to try their best and improve their skills as well.
In recent weeks the team has won against many teams totaling 6-1, for the boys team and 5-2, for the girls team.
Last Friday was their final regular season meet where the team lost against Thomas Jefferson High School. TJ’s team has not lost in 14 years, although the Atoms were predicted to win.
The meet was close and by the end, the Atom’s coaches believed that the scores were tied; however, there was confusion between the teams scores. The Atoms used scoring cards, the usual way of tracking a swimmer’s times, while TJ did not. This lack of precision on TJ’s part made the Atoms skeptical–thinking it could have possibly given TJ a points advantage.
Additionally, three boys were disqualified from competing for a disciplinary matter, though the boys deny any wrongdoing. (The A-Blast generally does not report on specific details involving student discipline.)
Their season is not over: this weekend they look forward to their district meet at Audrey Moore Rec Center, which most swimmers are competing in. Both the boys and girls teams have shown strong performances this season, thus proving that the teams records are well deserved.
“I’ve set consistent personal records and I’ve helped to win a couple of relays this season, I also think my season has also gone well because I’ve improved greatly since freshman year, and I’m trying to get states this year as well,” senior Ethan Simone said. “I think the community is the best part of swimming. You don’t even have to be that good at swimming or diving because the team can easily teach you, but the community is a big reason why I come back every year.”
Aside from others, many freshman have also joined the team and its community this year:
“I think people should join the team if they’re still unsure about a sport to play and they want to have a good workout and improve their cardio. The team also has fun team dinners and bus rides to and from meets,” freshman Nate Connelly said.
Many swimmers believe this has so far been a great season for improvement and swimmers have had great growth on their swimming technique. The Atoms continue to represent their school with dedication to winning meets and showing great sportsmanship.
“I think our [team’s] major strengths are just having good camaraderie and teamwork. We’re always there, cheering behind everyone’s lanes, always, you know being the hype man,” junior Miriam Popp said.
With that being the last meet of the year all of the Atoms have a good season to look back at, the Atoms hope to reset and dominate at districts. From the bonds they made through swimming, to the races they won this season the Atoms swim team has had an excellent season. Follow them on Instagram @atomsswimdive.