In a sport where every second counts, the girls’ swim team continues to make every moment in the pool matter. The team has been taking on the season with dedication and determination, as with every meet, relay, and practice.
“This season has been really good so far,” Head Coach Amy Slonecker said. “The girls have been improving their times and performing well in relays, even though we don’t have big numbers.”
The girls dove into the season with persistence, shaking off a rocky start and quickly finding their rhythm again.
“We did start off a little rough,” senior Kyla Manata said. “But once we got back into practice and in shape, we got so much better. Now we’re beating teams with way more swimmers than us — such as New London.”
The win against New London on Oct. 14, at the Clay Lamberton indoor pool, was one of the team’s proudest victories. The meet was not necessarily just about the scoreboard; instead, it was a moment of realization that hard work can defeat size.
“This year’s team has a really positive vibe,” sophomore Alexia Pacurar said. “Everyone’s improving, especially the freshmen, and it’s been so fun to see that growth come to life at meets.”
The team’s strength has been built through commitment. Swimmers practice 2,500 to 5,000 meters a day in practice, improving every stroke, and completing their individual designated workouts. When the girls aren’t swimming, they frequently bond.
“We always have team dinners before meets and hang out after practice,” Manata said. “Sometimes we’ll watch movies at someone’s house or even just go to Walmart for fun. It keeps us close and makes everything more enjoyable.”
One of the season’s breakout stars is freshman Alexia Shurpit. She started off with only a few swim lessons this summer, and has been improving her skills and time to have a spot on the relays.
“Alexia has now dropped an incredible amount of time, both on freestyle and on breaststroke. She’s actually been doing a really, really good job, and has worked her way up on the relays because of that,” Sloniker said.
Key performers this season are seniors Peyton Zamzow and Kyla Manata, along with sophomores Alexia Pacurar and Anna Schliepp, who’ve been doing very well with placing in the top three in a lot of the events.
A steady, hardworking, and supportive mindset is what defines the 2025 team. While the team may not have the biggest roster, they sure have big goals.
“My goal is for the girls to keep dropping their times and perform to the best of their abilities,” Slonecker said.
