The boys swimming and diving team set their sights high for this year’s swimming and diving season. They wanted to increase their numbers, compete at sectionals, make state and develop strong team chemistry. By the end of the season, the team had met all of their goals.

Although swimming is ultimately an individual sport, team goals, as well as personal goals, become important to the team’s overall success.

“I like how nothing is individual-based,” said Sophomore Kyle Ehemann, diver. “Everything is done for your team; it’s not just for yourself.”

Head Varsity Coach Rahul Sethna emphasized the goal of getting a larger team. He believed this to be an important part of the program because with more numbers comes more swimmers who can swim in many different events.

Last year the team had 48 members versus the 50 members they had this year, so the team viewed this as a step in the right direction when it came to accomplishing one of their goals.

Along with building their numbers, the boys swimming and diving team focused on making it to sectionals and winning it.

“One goal we have as a team is that we think we have a shot to win sectionals, and that’s something we’re hoping to pull off,” said Senior Duncan Black, one of the captains of the swimming and diving team.

This year, like last year, the team qualified for sectionals, which was held at Lake Forest High School on Saturday, Feb. 20.

This year they finished fourth, one spot up from their fifth-place finish last season.

From there, they set their sights higher, as they worked to send members to state.

“We want to send at least two relays down to state as well, which is a big goal of ours,” said Black before sectionals.

The team met this goal, too, when five swimmers qualified.

Senior Will Garcia, Black, Junior Ryan Magee, Senior Eric Kozokar, and Senior Mike Ward received state cuts whereas last year only Ward swam at state.

While not everyone was headed to state, the team supported the individuals who were in order to build their confidence.  It also added to the team’s chemistry.

“My favorite thing is just how close we are as a team, and especially this year, we all get along great,” said Black.

Team members congratulated the state-qualifiers through small gestures of “good job” texts to bigger acts of hanging up posters around the school.

“I am going to state definitely knowing my team has my back…I couldn’t imagine swimming without them, and I know for sure they will be cheering us on,” Ryan Magee, junior, said in an email right before state, which occurred in Evanston, IL, from Feb. 27-28.

By the end of the season, many team members said their biggest takeaway from the season was how close they all bonded.

“It’s a family, and everything we do is together,” said Hunter Magee, one of the four freshmen on varsity swimming and diving. “We have good chemistry with each other, and everyone supports each other.”

Hunter Magee also emphasized how individual effort plays a role in accomplishing team goals.

He said, “It all comes down to being a team, supporting each other, and trying hard every day.”