Story by Virginia Allen and Bethany Krenzer.

Swimming season is beginning, and that means lots of hard work and new opportunities.  

There are many swimmers at Westside, all eager to compete and reach their goals throughout the season. Sophomore Annika Wilmers and junior Lara Sivick are members of the swim team. Both girls have different goals and hectic swim schedules to keep up with.

Although Wilmers has many goals, she is set on reaching a few important ones this season.

“My main goals are to go to state this year for the 100 back and the 200 IM,” Wilmers said. “I went last year, but only for one event, so I want to go for two this year.”

This swimming season is very different than last season, and it has changed in many beneficial ways.

“Although there have always been good swimmers, this season is looking really great because lots of the incoming freshmen are really good and getting better,” Wilmers said.

Even though Wilmers said that there are many parts of swimming that she loves, she has decided to focus in on a few more important aspects.

“I love how during the season a family is built amongst the team, and you really get so close with everyone,” Wilmers said. “I also love how all of your hard work pays off at the meets, and when you reach your goals.”

Although swimming is a very fun sport, Lara Sivick says that there are also difficult parts to it.

“I am always tired during swimming season, and it’s really hard because we have to practice at 5:30 in the morning, which makes me even more tired,” Sivick said.

Swimming has its ups and downs, but all of the hard work that the swimmers put in pays off in the end.

“Swimming is really fun and I enjoy hanging out with all of the people on the team,” Sivick said. “I also like how swimming is a really great way to let loose.”