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Senior captain Nate Stone competes in the 100 yard butterfly race in the team's meet against Benilde Feb. 2. Park won the meet 96-74.

As senior captain Nate Stone reflects on his six swim seasons at Park, he recalls team bonding as his best memories.

“The sleepovers stand out especially. All the time spent hanging out with the guys in general. Just being with the team,” Stone said.

Stone said the end of his last high school swimming season comes with mixed feelings.

“It’s bittersweet. The end of the season is really exciting. The big meets happen now, and then I’ll go back to (club swimming) and have some fun stuff, but it’s pretty sad looking back,” Stone said. “It’s all ending and it’s been a fun time.”

Head coach Amanda Forsberg said the team will honor Stone and other seniors at their senior night meet Feb. 7.

“After the meet, we’ll do pizza dinner and then the underclassmen give speeches about each of the seniors,” Forsberg said.

Stone, who has been a swimmer for over a decade, said he feels confident in his team going into the meet.

“We’ll win for sure — that’s not really a question. It’s mostly just having fun and trying to (break) a couple more records because it’s the last home meet of the season,” Stone said.

Forsberg said she also feels confident going into senior night, the last meet of the regular season.

“(Richfield) has a couple (good swimmers), but I think it’ll be a good last swim before we head into Sections, so hopefully everyone will get good last times and feel good coming out of the regular season,” Forsberg said.

According to senior captain Nils Rykken, the team’s record is 7-1.

Stone said being a captain and a leader of the team has been a rewarding experience, despite challenges.

“It’s my second year (as captain). It’s a little bit like herding cats sometimes, but it’s been a lot of fun,” Stone said.

Forsberg said she feels proud of the contributions the captains, Stone and Nils Rykken, have made to the team.

“They’re really good working with the younger kids and newer swimmers. I think they’ve had really good leadership this year getting everyone ready and pumped up for meets,” Forsberg said. “They always come up fired up and ready to go, so I’m very impressed with their leadership.”

Senior night takes place against Richfield at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Park. Sections will take place Feb. 23 and 25.