Senior swimmers wrestle with poignant conclusion to their life aquatic
The Wildcat swim squad will soon bid farewell to senior leadership following an up and down season. Senior Jacob Larson led the varsity squad to a 2-3 record while fellow senior Zach Bancroft helped the jayvee team to a winning record of 4-1. After starting in late November 2021 with their first invite at DC Everest High School, there have been many moments for each swimmer to shine.
Coach Kel Wayne had many goals that she wanted the boys to achieve.
“I’d say that I really like to see the team continue to grow, as having a lot of boys on this year’s team was pretty cool,” she said. “I’d also like to see the team grow in terms of getting back to state”
Similarly, assistant coach and West alumni Henry Laux also has hopes for future success in the playoff season.
“I hope that I can see the team make it back to state and set attainable goals. Something that they can all really shoot for” he said. “I’d really love to see the team set goals pretty consistently every few weeks, figure out a plan, how are you gonna make an effort, how are we gonna break it, and break it. That’s what I’d like to see.”
Already, several swimmers have achieved many goals they’ve set for themselves, even setting new goals and attaining those too. Some of these goals are grounded in history.
“We haven’t won State since 1989, and it’d be really cool to see us win that,” Larson said. “State and conference wins are really something that would be cool.”
For about the last 26 years, the dynastic Neenah Rockets program has won 23 times.
“I really hope that they can continue to improve,” Bancroft said. “We have a lot of potential in our freshman and sophomore class. A lot of them are really fast and swim varsity already, I’m really excited to come back after my senior year and see them continue to improve and potentially go to state.”
Both Wayne and Laux, as well as the seniors, found many highlights during the season.
“Lots of new people joined this season,” Wayne said. “It helped our numbers, but it also gave a new dynamic to the team. Much more light hearted and fun. It’s really such a joy to see.”
Laux agreed.
“The Sheboygan North relay invite was really fun,” he said. “The Appleton North Invite was also great. Lots of goals broken and personal bests. A lot of people achieved their best times and beat their goals.”
This led to many swimmers breaking their goals
“Beating my PR after not swimming for three weeks was probably my highlight. That surely surprised me,” Bancroft said.
His fellow teammates were also glad to see their friends excel.
“I’d have to say being able to see everyone succeed and do their best. That was something that really made me happy to see,” Larson said.
For other swimmers, just seeing their family grow brought satisfaction.
“Expansion after last year’s seniors graduated was probably my highlight. That was really cool to see. Especially since we now have a lot of juniors on the team,” senior Cody Schmitz said.
A lot of the seniors have been on the swim team at this point for several years,making this ending to their high school swimming career a poignant one.
“I’ve been swimming with this team since my freshman year, and it is honestly pretty heartbreaking to see because my freshman year, Henry was a senior,” senior Brady Engle said. “So, it’s crazy to think how fast high school went by.”
Schmitz concurs.
“Bittersweet, honestly. But it’s a bit stressful too” he said.
Both Engle and Schmitz have been swimming with West since their freshman year, and they look forward to seeing what the future holds.
“It’s so heartbreaking because, I mean as much of a struggle it is going to start it off, I have so many great memories and this is such a fun environment,'' senior Kai McClellan said. “Coach Kel is one of my favorite coaches ever and we’ve been seeing a lot of improvements, especially this year. It’s sad to finally do it and put a cap on it.”
Other swimmers almost waited too long for the opportunity.
“This was actually my first season swimming. It’s very sad because I didn’t think it was gonna be this fun, but I actually really enjoy swimming” Bancroft said.
That sort of camaraderie is what makes the sport transcend only athletics.
“You don’t have to be a great swimmer to be on the swim team,” McClellan said. “I’ll be honest, joining my sophomore year was a little rough but I’m really glad that I did it and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
The secret to success is not particularly mysterious, according to Bancroft.
“Come everyday with a positive mindset and you’ll have a blast,” he said.
Larson takes the idea even further in laying out a map for not only swimming, but life in general.
“Don’t show up half-heartedly; do it,” he said. “Do the workout. Most importantly is to have fun and do your best. Respect the coaches, have the mindset of working hard. With hard work comes great outcomes.”
By Evan Parfitt
Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue 5
February 22nd, 2022