Despite multiple barriers going into the competition, Park boys’ swimming team won their third meet of the season versus Jefferson Thursday, Jan. 12. 

Junior captain Henry Salita said the team has had to deal with a lot of injuries as of late, especially concerning some of the more skilled swimmers.

“We’re missing me, we’re missing Magnus Smith, and another varsity swimmer broke his ankle and has been having shoulder issues unexpectedly and we had a swimmer get a concussion,” Salita said. “We have had to make some changes like what events people were swimming and some other swimmers have had to step up.”

Although Park claimed the victory at the end, this meet came with additional struggles as the team had a couple disqualifications, according to head coach Amanda Forsberg.

“We disqualified two relays which made it very interesting at the end,” Forsberg said. “But then they came back in the next relay and won it which kind of sealed the deal for the meet.”

Junior Daniel Cameron said the team was still able to ultimately put the pieces together to win the meet, thanks to the younger swimmers stepping up.

“It was a very close meet. We were slightly lucky but we really pushed through,” Cameron said. “I saw some really impressive swims from some of the younger kids. I was really proud of them.”

According to Salita, the sport is starting to click with the more inexperienced swimmers because of the hard work they are putting into their craft.

“The newer kids on the team are really starting to get it,” Salita said. “They are really starting to put the work they’re putting in on their stroke and other techniques into action.”

Cameron said the recent surge in the skill of the younger swimmers could end up leading to a conference title defense for Park.

“I’m excited to see if we hold that conference title,” Cameron said. “I want to see some younger swimmers push through because I think they have a lot of potential.”

Park’s next meet is against New Prague at 6 p.m on Thursday, Jan. 19 at the New Prague Aquatics Center.