In It to Win It: How boys’ swim and dive plan to follow up a winning season

After winning their 17th state title last winter scoring 325 points, the boys swim and dive team set a high standard for this upcoming season. Varsity swimmer and senior Grant Lucas says that this season they intend to practice more seriously than in previous seasons, focusing on technique and endurance.

“I’m going to make sure [the team] works hard enough in practice and actually swims hard enough in meets,” Lucas said.

Despite their past success, they must make a habit of practicing hard, Lucas said. In order to improve beyond last season, the team plans to enforce stricter attendance and accountability. In swimming, as little as a week off can throw off an athlete’s rhythm: moving slower, feeling more sore or simply struggling to find the right “flow” in their strokes. Daily practices of 2.5 – 3 hours consist of technique and endurance drills to keep the boys prepared and in shape. 

“Coming off from a state win, I think [the standards] are higher,” Lucas said,“[People] are expecting us to be the best.”