Wildcats savor aquatic identity as senior trio winds down years of competitions, memories
After endless morning slips and night dips, the girls swim team has lost more than just some sleep this season. Coming back from the brutal loss of 13 seniors, the team has turned to senior captains Jade Laibly, Kathryn Bergin, and Catie Schnieder to keep their heads above water.
“It’s hard coming back this year after losing so many seniors,” Laibly said. “They were part of our family to us, and we’re trying to rebuild that with the new team.”
Schneider expected some of the initial struggles felt at the start of the season.
“We’re still trying to get into the swing of things,” she said. “Some of the girls joined without knowing how to swim, so we’re all learning.”
Cracks in the participatory foundation leave the Wildcats vulnerable in team scoring events.
“We don’t have the depth that we’ve had in the past two years,” Bergin said. “We have those first place finishes, but we don’t have the second and third place finishes, and everything else behind that.”
Despite these challenges, the girls successfully finished their regular season with a record of 3-4 for dual meets. Schneider is proud of the growth taken to come this far.
“Even though we don’t have as many year-round swimmers as we had last year, our team has a lot of potential to perform really well - especially in relays,” she said.
Schneider feels the fresh group of girls has brought a new wave of change to the team.
“The new girls were the highlight,” she said. “Most of our team is super young this year, which is a really nice aspect to have since a lot of the girls will continue on in future years.”
Laibly has stepped up this season to lead the group of girls and set expectations for the pool environment.
“Being a captain lets me teach all these new swimmers what being a part of the team is about,” she said. “It’s so much more than just swimming. It’s more about building all these awesome friendships and learning to be comfortable with who they actually are.”
Coach Lori Salzer has high expectations for these young swimmers and the future of the Wildcat squad.
“I hope the girls continue representing themselves in a respectful, high manner so people can look up to them,” she said.
Coach Kel Wayne would love to see an increase of participation.
“I hope that our program continues to grow with both people who would like to join the team and try something new, but also with people who swim year round and want to be competitive swimmers,” she said.
Bergin would like to see the new generation of swimmers continue to grow and expand.
“I hope our team gains the depth that it needs,” Bergin said. “25 girls is awesome, but what about 35? I want us to build that depth.”
The team puts a strong focus on building strong relationships with each other in addition to the athletics perspective. Wayne enjoys this duality swimming entails.
“Winning the homecoming float was a big highlight for girl's swim, as well as the Natalie Kate Bolin spirit invite,” she said. “What really makes these events special is that they are both events where the team comes together and works together for one goal. It is all about having fun, teamwork, and collaboration.”
Schneider looks at the sport with the same deeper mindset as Wayne.
“That’s what this team is really about, building relationships and having fun,” she said. “It’s a bit hard for people to grasp that because they’re so wrapped up in being competitive, or breaking records, or swimming fast.”
This family aspect makes this last season bittersweet.
“It’s a really hard concept to grasp,” Schneider said. “All three of us have been on the team all four years, and even longer. It’s a surreal moment; you never really think you’re going to make it to the end, and now it’s here.”
Laibly looks past the sorrows through the fruits of her success.
“I don’t think I’ve comprehended it yet, but in a way, we’ve made so many amazing memories and accomplishments that you can’t really be sad,” she said. “It was such an awesome journey.”
Bergin is grateful for all of the people she’s met through the sport.
“It will be so much fun and so worth it in the end,” she said. “Joining the swim team builds so many friendships. I’d see so many faces in the hallways smiling at me that I’d know from the team, and it was just the best feeling ever.”
As Laibly dives off her final block, she leaves behind advice and wisdom for teammates.
“Be your true, authentic self because that’s really how you’re going to meet the most amazing people,” she said. “I think that being on the pool deck and being a part of this team is a really great place to be who you really are.”
By Evan Parfitt
Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue II
October 31 2022