Warriors prepare for Metro swimming meet

The Westside varsity swimming team is heading back to Millard West High School for the finals of the Metro championship meet on Saturday, Feb. 11.

The Warriors have come a long way since the beginning of the season. Head coach Andy Rider has seen a lot of growth from his swimmers and is excited for the Metro meet. 

“These meets are the ones that mean the most so obviously, we want the kids to swim out there top,” Rider said.  “I think the training has been, you know, good throughout the whole season and we should see the successes of that here in the next couple of weeks.” 

Many swimmers on the team have really stood out to Rider, after setting several school records. 

“Nate Germonperez, Kaden Guzman are at the top of our boys,” Rider said. “For the girls’ team,  Kate Stevens, Piper Hagen, Eliana Kraky, Natalie Harris are all performing super well.” 

The Westside girls beat Marian two weeks ago at the Westside Invitational and Coach Rider is still very impressed with the foursome, who beat the school and meet record in the 400 freestyle relay.

“They just set the school record in the 400 Free the other day at the Warrior Invite and I see them kind of really progressing through these next couple of weeks,” Rider said.

Rider is not taking any chances and is letting his swimmers recover so they are ready for the Metro meet.

“We want to make sure that their muscles are feeling good and ready for their swims on Friday and Saturday,” Rider said. 

In the preliminaries of the Metro Championships the Warriors had a great first day, where 16 female swimmers qualified for finals. One of the swimmers, junior Kate Stevens set a new school record in the 100 butterfly and qualified with the second fastest time. Also setting records with Stevens were Natalie Harris, Eliana Kratky, and Piper Hagen. They recorded a new school mark in the 400 freestyle relay, breaking their previous record. 

“Our goal is definitely we’ve had a goal all year to win Metros on both sides. It’s going to be a very competitive meet on the boys and girls side,” Rider said. 

The Warriors will be back in the water on Saturday to finish up the Metro championships where they hope to bring a title back home to Westside. The finals start at 10 a.m. at Millard West.