by Kat Mahoney ‘20

With an outstanding performance resulting in an another 4A State Championship for the girls team, and great performances by the boys team, the swim team was able to cap off yet another successful season in Coach Brendan Lees’ last year with the swim team. The reward of a state and regional championship last season came at the cost of losing one of the largest senior year classes in years, including four NCAA Division 1 swimmers. The team will have to battle even stiffer competition as they moved up to Division 1.

The team had to say their goodbyes to 13 graduating girls and three graduating boys from both the diving and swim team. Lees led the team to two Metros titles, three state championships, and several regional championships. Not having as many year round swimmers has made it more difficult moving to Division 1. Ryan Burnsky, a Sherwood alumni swimmer, has taken Lees’ place as the coach of both teams. Burnsky coaches in the summer at Tanterra, but most notably has high school experience coming from Blake.

Despite these changes, the team is focusing on the positive aspects the season has to offer. With Burnsky’s new coaching position, practice is focused more on drills and technique of not only just the stroke, but also starts and finishes. He has also implemented optional dry land workouts after school. Senior Captains Alex Bacon, Malec Fahmy, Amanda Wenhold, and John Wilbur, have worked alongside Burnsky and their teammates to prioritize the creation of a strong familial bond between every member on the team, which includes pasta dinners before almost every meet this season.

“Our main goal [is] to make the team a family. Of course, winning is nice wbut no one can win without a family or support group behind you,” said Wenhold.

The team is not comparing themselves to their performances from previous years. They are striving to make this year’s team one that will be remembered as a family who encouraged each member to better themselves not only in the pool but in life overall. “I want the swimmers on the team to do the best they can … to just get faster for themselves. That’s how we surpass last year; we stop worrying about the past and focus on the future,” explained Wilbur.

With the end of season in addition to the end of the school year quickly approaching, the team is making sure they swim their hardest to try to qualify for Metros.