The Westside girls swim team has had a great season so far, doing very well in all of their meets. One swimmer individually has been a huge piece in the team’s success. Elena Pospishil, a senior at Westside High School, has been a big component of the team for her past two years as a Westside Warrior. Pospishil transferred from Burke High School after her sophomore year, making a great addition to the Warrior team. She is currently ranked 2nd in the state for breaststroke and is continuing to turn heads every time she touches the water.
Pospishil has never failed to work hard and has consistently leaves everything out in the pool, bettering her times every race.
“So far, my best races have been in the breaststroke and more specifically my medley relay,” Pospishil said. “In the relay I was able to go my fastest time ever on a 50 breaststroke with a 29.1, which I was so surprised to swim. My 100 is also leading very strongly with a 1:05, a season best.”
Pospishil is not only a great swimmer, but a great teammate, which isn’t going unnoticed. Girls swim coach Andy Rider takes sees this at any swim event no matter practice or meet.
“Elena is an awesome individual and brings so much to our team,” Rider said. “She not only is a great swimmer, but she adds so much to our culture. When not competing, you can find Elena on the side of the pool cheering all athletes on as they compete.”
Swimming is a very intricate sport having many different tactics to swim the fastest. Pospishil shares her secret to having such low times.
“My tactic is pure determination and joy for what I do,” Pospishil said. “Honestly, sports can be super intense so it’s important to remember your motivation and passion.”
With sports being so intense, as an athlete it is important to take care of your mental health being in such a competitive atmosphere all of the time.
“As a team we are able to swim fast because of the training we do both physically and mentally,” Pospishil said.
Some people can look at swimming as an individual sport but it is far from that. Every component of the Westside girls swim team comes together during meets because of every individual on the team.
“I take my coach’s technique advice to heart and am able to tweak little things if necessary,” Pospishil said. “We swimmers spend our time at practice wisely which is what sets us apart. We are able to work hard and laugh all in the same practice.”
With this being Pospishil’s last season, there are many things she is going to miss about being a Westside Warrior. These range from all of the memories she has made with her teammates to the great environment Westside has made for her.
“I am going to miss the high school swim meets the most when I head off to college,” Pospishil said. “I will still be continuing my athletic journey in the pool but the excitement that happens when we go fast during high school is an unforgettable experience. We all load onto a bus and head off on the adventure together, ready to head up against some fast competition. Our team works hard consistently and it really shows at meets.”
With the pool being under construction, the Warriors have had to practice at less than ideal times to get the practice they need to perform their best when it comes to meet day.
“It is not easy getting up at such an early time and jumping in the pool before school starts so I am super proud of everyone,” Pospishil said.
Pospishil plans to attend Illinois State University next year to pursue her athletic career in swimming.
“It is a great group of girls and I can already tell the coaches will set me up for success,” Pospishil said. “As a student athlete I will attend for public relations and communications with the plan to graduate with my masters degree in four years if all goes well. I can’t wait for the next chapter of my life, but will miss the absolutely amazing team I am leaving behind.”
