Synchro works to perfect routines
Team currently undefeated, 5-0 record
Seniors Bella Steward and Maya Lee compete in their duo performance April 23. SLP synchro team won against Bloomington/Jefferson.
May 13, 2021
After synchro missed out on its spring season last year, sophomore Rachel Katzovitz said even with COVID-19 safety protocols, she is grateful to have the opportunity to compete.
“So far, the season’s been going pretty well. It’s nice being back with our team, and for it to be as normal as possible. But of course we have to follow the COVID(-19) rules to make sure we’re being careful,” Katzovitz said. “But I think it’s really great that we’re back at practice. And I think everyone’s been working really hard, especially with not getting a season last year.”
According to senior captain Maya Lee, as the season has progressed, swimmers have started to focus on polishing their routines in preparation for the end of the season.
“We worked a lot in the beginning of the season on figures and stuff. And a lot of control stuff and lots of drills,” Lee said. “Now that we’re getting further into the season, we’ve been working a lot outside of practice on choreographing our routines so that during practice time we’re able to swim through all of our routines.”
Assistant coach Jessica Gust said the team is currently undefeated and she is excited to see the team’s routines improve over the next few weeks.
“We’ve had three meets — we had two figure meets and a routine. And we won all three (meets) by a hefty margin. The girls are doing awesome. Routines are getting close to being done, so I would say we’re ahead of schedule,” Gust said.
According to Lee, COVID-19 hasn’t affected the team when they are at the pool, but has gotten in the way of its bonding opportunities.
“It’s been kind of weird because being in the pool, we’re not able to wear masks, but outside of that, we’re always wearing masks around each other,” Lee said. “And a lot of our team bonding stuff that we usually do, we’re not able to. Like Feed My Starving Children, we’re not able to do that as a captains’ practice. And pasta parties, we’re not able to do those.”
Gust said overall the team is responsible when it comes to wearing masks and despite random problems they encounter, it feels good to have an almost-regular season.
“The girls are great and very strict about holding each other accountable to the COVID(-19) protocols, which is awesome. It’s just funny little logistical things like accidentally jumping in the pool with your mask on or getting out on the wrong side of the pool and realizing your mask is over on the other side,” Gust said. “But other than that, it’s been a pretty normal season, which is nice, because we haven’t really had a normal season in a long time.”
According to Katzovitz, regardless of how the season ends, she is excited to continue swimming with her teammates and hopes they will have Sections and State.
“For the rest of the season, I’m looking forward to just seeing everyone’s routines finished and just everyone swimming and having a good time and enjoying the rest of the season with the seniors that we have this year,” Katzovitz said. “And just spending more time with the team even if we don’t get State and Sections or if we do it would be fun either way.”
