Girls’ swimming embraces teamwork during a challenging season
Park beats Bloomington Kennedy
Junior Freya Wade prepares to dive into the water during her race Oct. 1. This meet was Park’s first away meet of the season.
October 4, 2020
After a tough season due to COVID-19 precautions, Park came out victorious in its meet versus Bloomington Kennedy. Senior captain Lily Metzler said she realized the team helped carry her through the meet despite challenges.
“The beginning of the meet was a little rough because our varsity medley relay got disqualified, but we turned it around and got it together,” Metzler said. “We went as a team and cheered each other on and it ended up being a really successful meet.”
Assistant coach Lily Rostal noticed how teamwork between the girls was a strength during their meet.
“The team was really good at cheering for each other and keeping the atmosphere really positive and enthusiastic, which makes the meet so much more fun,” Rostal said.
According to senior Maddy Doherty, having the team support her helps her during these unknowing times.
“With COVID, it’s kind of hard to stay focused in the meet because there is no cheering and it’s not as without the fans,” Doherty said. “It’s really nice to have the girls there to cheer and keep you locked in and focused.”
Metzler said the team and her coaches’ presence encourages her to stay persistent.
“One thing I loved was being able to look up from my flip turns and see people at the end of the lane cheering for me, it’s so motivating,” Metzler said. “When I hear the coaches and see them signaling to me, it’s really motivating to finish the race just as strong as I started it.”
Doherty said going to practice and seeing her team creates a sense of community and regularity.
“It’s such a great outlet, just being around people and making life feel somewhat normal,” Doherty said. “It’s such a great place to go after a long day of being alone, to go be with a group of people who want to work hard on something you also want to work on.”
According to Rostal, the opportunity for the team to uplift each other during meets helps bring them closer together despite the regulations.
“It’s hard because they are split up into groups, but they all encourage each other whenever they can which makes it feel like a team,” said Rostal.
Park will have their last conference meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 8 against Chanhassen at home.
