It was a cold winter evening on Dec. 9 where the smell of chlorine surrounded everyone as cheers echoed throughout the pool area for the varsity swim team’s first meet of the season. The swim meet took place at Cornell High School and was against their team. Times were recorded. Splashes were made. The meet ended with the boys falling 93 to 23 and the girls 73 to 14.
The swim team was off to a rough start this year when schedules began to clash and some health issues for Junior Meghan Bohach and Freshman Julia Fleissner caused them to not be able to participate anymore. Due to these events, along with having no pool at Freedom, the number of swimmers dwindled.
“I feel like there’d be more people if we did have a pool here instead of having to commute so much to New Brighton,” Junior Heather Gazda said. The team currently consists of only eight members.
“We miss [Julia Fleissner and Meghan Bohach] a lot and hope they get well soon,” Head Coach Bill Layton said. “As far as the decline in numbers, I just can’t put my finger on it; it’s just a really demanding and grueling sport. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it!”
The problems constantly being hurled at the team have been seemingly nonstop. However, Coach Layton doesn’t let this get to him.
“We’re dedicated to do our very best, and I’m so very proud of our team members just working hard and giving their all,” Layton said. “I want to thank Mr. Rosa, Mr. Dadich and Dr. Fuller for all their support, along with those parents out there too.”
Senior Lauren Dubovi says that swimming is one of the only sports that allows you to be a part of a team while also practicing individually.
“You don’t need the entire team to practice plays and drills; you can just go to the pool and exercise by yourself, and you’re still contributing to the team,” Dubovi said.
At the meet on Dec. 9, Dubovi and Gazda were the only two girls that competed. Five boys also swam: Seniors Jon Bittner, Tristan Cumberledge, Captain Casum Matlick, Sam Schweinsberg and Sophomore Dane Mathesius. According to Layton, all of these swimmers barely get any breaks because they don’t have a lot of time in between events, which really tires them out.
The swimmers also competed in a second meet on Dec. 11 against Carlynton High School. Though the girls were outnumbered and lost 14 to 104, the boys’ team won 57 to 10. Not only did they win the meet, but Matlick set two qualifying times for MACs. Matlick swam a 27:67 in the 50-yard freestyle and a 1:12:60 in the 100-yard backstroke.
“We now have two swimmers going to MACs and more to come in the weeks ahead, I hope. I just have to push them to their total potential,” Layton said.
Dubovi, along with the rest of the team, encourages more people to come and try swimming. “If anybody still wants to swim, you will definitely swim in every meet. You don’t have to worry about not swimming, or making weight, or being too short,” Dubovi said.
The next swim event is the West Allegheny Invitational over Christmas break on Dec. 28.