By Mackie Grady Posted March 20, 2020
The Lowry swim team made its first appearance of the season on March 12 in Carson City. With new changes every season, the team has high hopes for its season.
The men’s team beat Incline 90-27, as the girls’ team lost to Incline 100-64. The men’s 200 medley relay won, as well as the 400 relay. The girls’ 200 medley relay came in second, but came back and won the 400 relay. Along with relays, everyone placed in the top four.
Senior Hunter Lewis looks forward to spending time with his team, along with improving his times and making the most of it.
“I’m looking forward to a great season, to get along with everyone on the team and to have fun,” said Lewis. “The difference from last year is that this year is my last year, and I gotta make the best of it.”
Lewis’s main goal is to better himself as a swimmer.
“My events are usually the 100 backstroke and the 200 IM medley. I also swim in any other events,” said Lewis. “My goals this season are to try and make it to state this year again and hopefully try and beat the school record in the 100 backstroke.”
With a new season comes new athletes. Sophomore Zoey Thies explains what her hopes are for the season.
“I’m looking forward to swimming under a new coach and cutting time on my events,” said Thies.
This year, not only did the team gain new members, but it also gained a new head and assistant coach.
“From what I can tell, the coach is a little more understanding and tweaks the workouts as we go to adjust based on everyone’s times.”
Thies also has personal goals for the season.
“My goal this season is to try events I have not done before and cut time on the ones I have done before, especially the 500,” said Thies.
This year, Lowry gained two former LHS swimmers as their head and assistant coaches.
Head coach McKenzie Rupp is looking forward to each athlete’s improvement throughout the season.
“I am most looking forward to watching each individual swimmer improve, go a little outside of their comfort zone, and meet the goals they have set for themselves this season,” said Rupp. “We have such a great team dynamic in which our more experienced swimmers are positive and are willing to share their skills to help build up our less experienced swimmers.”
Coach Rupp explains she has high hopes for her team this year.
“My goal is to provide each swimmer with the necessary skills to be successful in meeting their goals and improving their skills this season,” said Rupp. “I want each of my swimmers to end the season knowing they put in 100% and are proud of what they accomplished.”
Rupp believes each swimmer is capable of accomplishing anything as long as they put in the work.
“I believe each swimmer needs to demonstrate dedication and determination to the sport. Consistency with attending practices and giving 100% at each practice,” said Rupp. “Each swimmer needs to set goals and have the realization that they are the decider of whether or not their goals are obtained.”
Senior Tristan Miller is a part of the 4×100 freestyle relay and hopes to make it to state again with his fellow relay teammates.
“I hope that we can make state again this year and place higher, ” said Miller. “I also swim breaststroke in the 200 medley relay as well as swim in the 4×100 freestyle relay.”
Miller hopes for a successful season and to end it with a PR and make it to state.
“My usual event is the 500 freestyle, and I do everything else throughout the year once,” said Miller. “My goals for this season are to get my 500 freestyle below 5:50 and make it to the state in an individual event.”
The Lowry swim team continues its season as they head to South Tahoe on March 21.
Roster: Ashton Kalkoske, Hunter Lewis, Matthew Lizanetz, Tristan Miller, Elizabeth Cardenas, Adaya Goldblatt, Emily Lewis, Mackenzie Swensen, and Zoey Thies.
NOTE: This article was written prior to the announcement of the suspension of spring sports.
