Girls’ swimming advances at state
Team places high in multiple events
November 26, 2015
Tensions were high as the girls’ swim team walked into the University of Minnesota Aquatic center Nov. 19, going head to head with the top swimmers and teams in the state.
According to coach Joe Yaeger, the team expected a high outcome after sending multiple swimmers in multiple events to the state meet.
Yaeger said the team prepared by upping the yardages, re-tapering and relay practice.
“We re-upped the yardage for the swimmers going to state so that they would go faster, and after we began an intensive taper that lasted until the meet,” Yaeger said. “For our relays, we worked on relay turns to shave off a few seconds for state.”
According to junior Kailey DeLozier, the team was very satisfied with the results.
“I felt I really exceeded my goals and I had no idea how I went the time I did in the 200 free,” DeLozier said. “The team exceeded goals because we sent multiple people to state and did amazing while we were there. Everyone placed very high and made it back to finals in at least one event.”
According to Yaeger, many swimmers placed in one or more events at state.
“Almost all of our swimmers placed in at least two events to move on to the second day of finals,” Yaeger said. “We had some of the fastest times of the year at the state meet.”
According to freshman Lexi Lee, the state meet was an unforgettable experience for her and the team.
“State was a great experience because I had never been to a meet that important that was so intense. It was really fun,” Lee said. “It was really exciting seeing super fast swims, and the team accomplished the goal of making it back to finals the second day.”
According to DeLozier, visualization and self motivation pushed her to compete well at state.
“I worked on my mental state towards my races. I seemed to always psych myself out but this time I really prepared myself so I wouldn’t do that,” DeLozier said.
The team had an overall successful season, which also contributed to the urgency to want to attend state, according to Yaeger.
“After having a winning season, our goal was to make it to state and I’m very proud with how many people we sent and how well they did,” Yaeger said.
