After beating Hopkins for the first time, senior Franny Bevell said the team worked hard all season for this meet and it went just as she wanted it to.

“We prepared all season for this meet, we have (had) a lot of hard practices so we have put a lot of hours and dedication into this meet,” Bevell said. “This meet went about as well as I could’ve hoped, everyone was at the end of the lane cheering, everyone was excited and had great races and we came out with a win. 

According to junior Lily Metzler, the team benefited from working on turns and breathing that they did in practice to prepare for the meet.

“We have all been working very hard in practice and been doing a lot of sets that have been working on our turns and breathwork,” Metzler said. “We have also been working on our finishes. So I think that helped us a lot in the meet.”

Bevell said many swimmers have been out this season due to injuries, but those who continue to swim are 

working hard to make up for the injured.

“A lot of our top swimmers have been out with shoulder injuries,” Bevell said. “One of our successes is the people who are still able to swim have kept pushing and kept fighting for those who can’t right now.”

According to coach Amanda Forsberg, this was the first time Park beat Hopkins, and it was extra special because it was also senior night.

 “(For the last three years) we were zero and three to Hopkins. This is the first time we’ve beaten them so that was very exciting especially for the seniors to be able to leave on that high note,” Forsberg said. “Senior night was very exciting, all around everyone swam really well.”

Metzler said Hopkins got ahead at first but Park was able to keep a positive mindset and push through to win.

“There were a few points where (Hopkins) had a bit of a winning streak so that threw us off a little bit and made us a little nervous. But we really stayed on top of our game and we stayed really positive and had a really positive attitude,” Metzler said.

According to Bevell, her sixth and final year on the team was her favorite.

“I have been on this team for six years and this has been my favorite season just because of the girls and the atmosphere that we have on this team,” Bevell said.

Park will return to the pool at its next meet which will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at the St Louis Park Middle School against Benilde St. Margarets.