For the second year in a row, the Lexington High School Varsity Girls Swim Team won first place in the Middlesex League Championship. Especially after their previously undefeated season, it was not easy to live up to all the expectations.
“Last year we were very strong and we lost a lot of our best swimmers since they graduated. One of the biggest challenges was finding where everybody could fit to create a successful team,” Mia Lin, one of the senior team captains, said.
The team worked extremely hard throughout the fall, following a rigorous practice schedule.
“The commitment is also another unique thing to swimming. We practice every morning from five-thirty to seven a.m, five days a week, except on meet days. It’s a big commitment,” Lin said.
In the midst of these intense practices, the team also built a strong community through events such as spirit days and team dinners. Fiona Dowling, a sophomore on the team, believes this played an essential role in their success.
“If you show up and show out, you’ll inspire other people to do the same which really builds the strength of the team as a whole, and pushes and motivates other people to do their best,” Dowling said.
Not only did this sense of community contribute to team success, but it also improved team chemistry and morale.
“Every year, it doesn’t matter who you are or what you do outside of swimming, everybody just comes together. You can have a conversation with anyone about anything, and I feel like that is one of the most positive things about the swim team,” Lin said.
This combination of hard work and team community ultimately led to a successful league meet celebrated by the entire team.
“The most memorable part of the season was probably the league meet because no one really thought we were going to win. But we put so much hard work into it, and we did end up living up to the standards,” Alice Ma, a sophomore on the team, said.
The connections built between the swimmers by supporting and pushing one another past their limits will continue to be a special aspect valued by team members.
“It’s hard at some points but you’ll make so many new friends and meet so many new people, and it’s a community that you’re gonna be really thankful you get to be part of,” Dowling said.
