The Westside varsity swimming team has started off the 2021-2022 season on a mission. Each swimmer has the same goal, to make a run for the state championship. In their first week, the Warriors will have to rely on their depth as three of their star swimmers, junior Nate Germonprez, senior Collin Davis, and senior Allison DeSordi, are all breaking from high school competition in preparation for the Junior Nationals. 

Westside head coach Doug Krecklow said the team will have to make adjustments as a result of the three swimmers being absent for the first week.

“Well anytime you have three really quality athletes not available it affects how you enter all of your other athletes,” Krecklow said. “It affects what we do on relays, it affects the overall scheme we set up, and it affects the entries we do with the entire team, so it certainly has an impact.”

Senior Jude Lowe, who returns alongside Davis and Germonprez after swimming club in 2020, will be another key piece to the boys team and has high aspirations.

“My goal for the team is to place top three at state,” Lowe said. “Last year was kind of crazy, because of COVID and some of the guys, including myself, didn’t swim last season, so we hope to come back strong.”

Lowe also has many goals for both himself and his impact on the underclassmen.

“I want to place top eight in the 100 butterfly, and help out the team in relays,” Lowe said. “I also want to be a good role model and leader for the underclassmen.”

The Westside girls swim team is off to an impressive start this season as well. The Warriors won the Burke Invitational on Dec. 4. Westside also defeated defending state champion Omaha Marian 109-77 in a dual on Dec. 7.

Sophomore Sydney Fuehringer Rolles said building team chemistry will be very important this season.

“I hope that we can get closer, with COVID last year it was really hard to do team bonding, and everything,” Rolles said. “Hopefully this year we are able to do those things.”

Coach Krecklow has one big goal for the swim team, and that goal is to make a run at the state championship.

“I always have the same goal, and that is to win a state title, so we are prepared to be state champions, and you know if we get beat, somebody better come down to the state meet, and be prepared to knock us off because I’m not doing anything but win,” Krecklow said.

The Westside swim team will face off next on Dec. 11 at the Ralston Invitational at Ralston High School. The girls competition will start at 9 a.m. The boys meet will get underway at 1 p.m.