The swim team has returned motivated and prepared for another year of leading the pack with pride. After a successful meet on Oct. 13th earning a majority of the roster individual awards, junior Raj Likhari knows what teamwork means to reach each other’s goals.

“Something I learned from being on this team is team motivation,” Likhari said. “During a practice or a difficult meet, sometimes it can be physically and mentally very enduring, so sometimes just the words ‘push harder, keep it going’ can be really helpful from such a well-knit family.”

Even by being the varsity team captain, junior Jade Bilodeau still feels the mutual respect and positive energy from her teammates.

“Something I’ve learned while being on this team is that it’s not all about being the fastest or most senior swimmer,” Bilodeau said. “It’s mostly about team spirit and friends who can ultimately push you towards a set goal. Swimmates are with you every step of the way in achieving something. There’s nothing you can’t do when you put your mind to it.”

The feeling of community is prevalent throughout the whole team, especially to senior junior varsity captain Melika Dalaki, who reflects on her years on the team before moving on to the next chapter of her life.

“What I’m going to miss most is getting to see my swim family and coaches every single day,” Dalaki said. “The team has allowed me to meet some of my most valued friends that I know I’ll be obsessed with long after high school. Being captain has especially given me the opportunity to mature and to dedicate myself to something other than myself. The feeling that I’m making a difference is truly unmatched.”

To the team, swim and dive consists of much more than meets and practices. It is what the athletes do together to form a stronger bond, therefore a better team. Junior captain Daniel Shu, and fellow captains, collaborate on planning social events for the team.

“I’m really looking forward to planning all the events we’re gonna do as a team and make it more inclusive than in previous years,” Shu said. “We’ve planned a Halloween party so far, which was really fun because everything’s better with your friends there.”

Any student from their freshman to senior year can be on the team, and a majority of the athletes have been there since the beginning. Watching themselves grow into a more mature and disciplined person over the years has been something that will stick with them for years to come.

“Seeing the freshman and sophomores on the team makes me remember being in their position, so I get to see how I’ve grown and how far I’ve come as a person,” Shu said.