The Swim and Diving Team had an unforgettable season full of hard work, dedication and teamwork. Their commitment to winning paid off, showing that success in swimming and diving comes from working together and supporting one another. Head Coach Stuart Webb knows what makes his team special. “Their work ethic and working hard in practice everyday makes it a lot of fun to coach.”
Throughout the season, swimmers trained hard to improve their strokes, turns, and endurance, while divers focused on form and mastering challenging dives. “We push each other every day to get better, not just for ourselves but for the team,” said junior swimmer Kamila Makasheva.
The divers also embraced the spirit of teamwork. Junior Rebeca Arrechedera-Contreras, one of the divers, made waves by breaking a school record in diving with 474.95 points. “Breaking the school record was such an amazing experience,” Arrechedera-Contreras said. “But it wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates. They supported me through every dive, cheering me on and giving me the confidence to do my best.”
Balancing academics with the demands of swim and dive practice was no small task, but the team made it work. “It can be difficult sometimes as I want to just focus on swimming and my friends, but I know I have to put my academics first,” says senior Daisy Menchu. Senior Captain Tsubasa Rhoe, a standout swimmer, earned a recruitment offer from The University of Wyoming for swimming. “It’s a huge honor,” recalled Rhoe. “But I couldn’t have done it without the support of my teammates. They’ve always been there for me, cheering me on and helping me push myself,”
The team also has created traditions to bring them closer together before every competition. “Before each meet, we do a team FaceTime call the night before. It gets us hyped up and reminds us that we’re all in this together,” Senior Captain Paul Nuval explained. These traditions helped the swimmers and divers feel connected and ready to compete, reminding them that they are all in the same boat once the timer goes off.
Mental preparation is just as important as physical training, especially for divers. Sladen Ledford shared his method for staying focused. “Before a difficult dive, I like to make my mind blank. It keeps me from stressing and lets me get in the zone,” says Ledford.
Although swimming and diving may seem like individual sports, the Texans proved that teamwork plays a major role in their success. “Even though swimming relays are individual, we still swim for the team,” says senior Captain Lina Bernstiel. “You want to do your best for your teammates, and that makes it so much more exciting.” Sophomore Karahlyn Lee adds how team spirit radiates even while she’s in the water. “Even when I’m swimming alone, I can feel my teammates supporting me. Their energy keeps me motivated,” says Lee.
As the season wraps up, the team is already preparing for the splash they’ll make next season. “Next season, we want to continue improving and setting new goals for ourselves,” says Arrechedera. This season showed how much they can achieve when they work together. Coach Webb is excited to see the potential of the next season. “I’m excited to see JV develop, I’m excited to see the girls progress to see if they can get farther in the playoffs, and I’m excited to see the incoming freshman and see what they can do,” says Coach Webb. The Lamar Texans Swim and Diving Team’s victory and teamwork are absolutely fin-omenal, and are proof that success comes when people work together and make a splash
