Chlorinated perfection smells sweet to Wildcat swim squad
Even a global pandemic could do little to slow the Wildcat girls swim team dynasty, as the West squad went undefeated in its regular season. Team members, who were scheduled for Conference competition on March 23, made the most of their season despite strict regulations, having fun and keeping up morale.
“With COVID, the season has been different, especially with protocols we have to make sure we follow, like wearing masks, having dividers in the pool, and social distancing,” senior Morgan Antti said. “With these changes, we have found ways to team bond like dancing and playing games in the pool.”
Senior Lauren Spiller was thrilled her final season didn’t go down the drain.
“Generally this season has gone pretty well,” she said. “Especially as a senior, I'm so grateful to at least have a shortened season rather than no season. Since it is only eight weeks long, it has been a bit hectic with two meets a week for so many weeks in a row.”
Coach Kelly Wayne is enthusiastic about the performance of her team thus far, and hopes for a long run in the postseason.
“A 7-0 season is more than we could have asked for,” she said. “We beat Neenah for the first time since 2007, and we beat Appleton North for the first time since 2012. I am so proud of the hard work they put in during our season and in the months leading up to it.”
The team feels as if they deserve their undefeated season, as they put in hours of hard work and dedication to get them to this point. According to senior Sara Morehouse, the season went according to plan.
“Having an undefeated season has been absolutely amazing,” she said. “Going into the season, I think our whole team felt that we were going to perform really well, and as we won meet after meet, the feeling of success has only gotten sweeter.”
The team has accomplished many of the goals they established for this season, such as beating long term adversaries, and bringing home some silverware.
“Some of our goals in the beginning of the season included beating Neenah, which we have been trying to do for a long time, as well as winning Conference,” Antti said. “We also wanted to win at least five of the dual meets, which we have accomplished.”
Going to Conference was bittersweet for the seniors as it marked their last competition in high school, with the girls they made so many fond memories with.
“I will mostly miss the feeling of being a part of such a tight-knit team,” Antti said. “Throughout the season we all get so close, especially varsity, because we spend so much time together at practices, dinners and slumber parties. We have grown particularly tight this season given how successful we have been.”
Antti has enjoyed every minute of the season and believes that the close bond with her teammates has definitely led to success.
“The season has been tons of fun and swimming is kind of like a family; we all stick together and have fun together,” she said.
With a perfect season so far, Morehouse looks forward to the watery road ahead in the postseason.
“I am so thankful to be able to finish out my senior year with a great swim season,” she said. “The season has been the highlight of the last four years for me, mostly because of the amazing girls that are my teammates. We have so much fun together and are always laughing, which makes it easy to work together, to swim fast, and win meets. I will definitely miss the environment of the team, where everyone is so inclusive and positive. This team is really special in that way.”
The team was feeling ready for anything thrown their way.
“After Conference, we have Sectionals on Tuesday, March 30, where we hope to send our 200 Medley Relay and a few swimmers in individual events to state,” Morehouse said. “Our team is very well rounded and we have some really fast girls, so we are super excited and ready to do well in the postseason.”
by Drew Lasky
Published March 25, 2021
Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue VI