Swim team laps competition to districts
By ANNIE GJINECI AND SOPHIE OJDANIC
SNN Staff Writers
As swim season began in early September, Lakewood swimmers did not disappoint.
“At the very beginning of our district swim meet, my team started a cheer that echoed through the whole building. I was not expecting it, and I don’t think the other teams were either, but it just showed
how passionate and focused they were. It sent chills down my spine as they were doing it,” Coach Andrew Holzbog said.
After all their hard work, the boys finished off districts by winning the championship.
“Winning districts was my favorite moment, seeing the excitement in all the guys’ faces was really great,” said senior Jonathan Long, a homeschooled student who swims with his brother Ethan Long.
The district championship was won by more than 100 points, which allowed the team to go onto the regional competition. In addition to the boys, senior Eden Hessinger won the diving competition at regionals. The boys’ team was a runner-up in the
regional competition, and because of how well some of them did, they moved onto the state competition. For the past three years, the boys and girls swim teams have had at least one swimmer or diver go to the state competition. This year, Hessinger, and the Long brothers made it that far.
“We’ve done a lot better than the past few years,” Jonathan Long said.
At states, Hessinger placed eighth in the diving competition while Jonathan Long placed fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and sixth in the 100-yard free. Ethan Long placed fifth in the 200-yard freestyle and fourth in the 500-yard free. Overall, the Lakewood swim team placed 11th out of 48 teams from all over the state.
“It was a great year, and I really loved the comradery of the swim team, just being together, being on a team, and having people be there to cheer you on,” junior Jared Copeland said.
By ANNIE GJINECI AND SOPHIE OJDANIC
SNN Staff Writers
As swim season began in early September, Lakewood swimmers did not disappoint.
“At the very beginning of our district swim meet, my team started a cheer that echoed through the whole building. I was not expecting it, and I don’t think the other teams were either, but it just showed
how passionate and focused they were. It sent chills down my spine as they were doing it,” Coach Andrew Holzbog said.
After all their hard work, the boys finished off districts by winning the championship.
“Winning districts was my favorite moment, seeing the excitement in all the guys’ faces was really great,” said senior Jonathan Long, a homeschooled student who swims with his brother Ethan Long.
The district championship was won by more than 100 points, which allowed the team to go onto the regional competition. In addition to the boys, senior Eden Hessinger won the diving competition at regionals. The boys’ team was a runner-up in the
regional competition, and because of how well some of them did, they moved onto the state competition. For the past three years, the boys and girls swim teams have had at least one swimmer or diver go to the state competition. This year, Hessinger, and the Long brothers made it that far.
“We’ve done a lot better than the past few years,” Jonathan Long said.
At states, Hessinger placed eighth in the diving competition while Jonathan Long placed fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and sixth in the 100-yard free. Ethan Long placed fifth in the 200-yard freestyle and fourth in the 500-yard free. Overall, the Lakewood swim team placed 11th out of 48 teams from all over the state.
“It was a great year, and I really loved the comradery of the swim team, just being together, being on a team, and having people be there to cheer you on,” junior Jared Copeland said.