Trojans swim through adversity

Where there’s a will, there’s a way

Annie Bai, The Rubicon|January 25, 2022

Salah Abdulkarim

Senior Pah Na leaps into the pool.

As the Trojan Swim team’s season begins, they find themselves yet again with a different coach for the third season in a row. After last year’s Coach Sam left, the team now needs to adjust to new coach Dan Hansen and the assistant coach Charles Spencer quickly with their first meet coming up soon against Como Park on December 15th. “Where did Sam go? No one really knows.” junior Tuco Dixon said.
Despite this major change, the team feels optimistic for their upcoming season, “We have quite a few new swimmers this year, so I think we have a chance at being even more competitive in our conference than last year.” sophomore Rishi Bhargava said. With the coaching change, the students have more or less gotten into a consistent training schedule practicing technique drills daily. Many new swimmers are still getting a feel for the sport so students of all levels are welcome to try out.

The limitations on practices and meets caused by Covid still remain, this year, there is no bus offered for the swimmers which makes transportation to their training pool difficult for the younger students that can’t drive yet. Luckily the team captains senior Pah Na and junior Tenzin Bawa have been a huge help in providing transportation as needed.

A DIFFERENT ELEMENT. Sophomore Connor Overgaard dives into the water. “In terms of competition, swimming is a fight for every hundredth against yourself and for your team. It’s literally a different element humans were never built for.“ (Salah Abdulkarim)

It is because of the combined effort of these helpful team members that the SPA Trojans can continue, “Collectively, with teammates from highland, we prevented the co-op from disbanding.” Bhargava said.
The swimmers all have their favorite moments both in and out of the pool. “My favorite moment of all of swim is the annual photo that my friends and I take on picture day.” Dixon said.
Between school, practices, and meets, the swimmers still find time to enjoy and have fun with their team members. “The swim team has such a great team culture. One of my favorite traditions is Post-meet bagels and “tea parties” on the pool floor.” sophomore Connor Overgaard said.
The swim team is always looking for more students to share these experiences with, email the team captains if you are interested in joining.