A New Season for Talawanda Swim and Dive

A New Season for Talawanda Swim and Dive

By Luke West Poley

You can see Luke do the Channel 85 Productions Sports Report at http://thsdailynews.talawanda.org/.

Dominant. It’s the best way to describe the Talawanda swim and dive teams. As long as many of us can remember, it’s been an expectation of the team to be one of the most successful teams at the school, and to bring in conference titles and state qualifiers. This year is no different. After not qualifying any athletes to the state meet last year, the Brave will look to get athletes back to Canton to compete with the best in Ohio.

On the boys side, there is certainly experience. Senior Ben Crowder is excited about the new season and looks to pick up where he left off. A member of the state qualifying relay team that made the state meet for the boys two years ago, he set ambitious goals for himself: “My main goal is to qualify for states and cap off that undefeated SWOC career.” 

The team has no shortage of confidence either, with Crowder evaluating, “We will be faster, stronger, and more successful [this year].” Also adding, “Our boys team has a really good chance at sweeping the events at SWOC and picking up our 15th straight title.” Dating back to the days of the FAVC, the swim team has been a mainstay in the Talawanda trophy case. This year looks to be yet another of a strong preseason outlook for a title.

For the girls, it is much of the same. Junior star Mercy Patterson brought the same level of confidence for her squad, saying, “[A] team goal is to win the SWOC of course.” It was also a message of improvement for the girls, with Patterson saying, “Our team goals this year include individual improvements for everyone, making sure everyone gets comfortable with how swimming works and helping our teammates to reach their personal goals.” “Our biggest strength is all the enthusiasm and hard work our swimmers put into their everyday practice.” 

While the situation has certainly changed due to the ongoing pandemic, the teams are most excited to see a renewed sense of normalcy in their lives through their sport. Patterson was excited when asked about how she feels about the fast approaching season. “I guess I’m just excited to swim with the team again, especially the new members, because I think it will bring back some of the normalcy of our non-Covid seasons that we are used to. I’m also very excited to see what we can all accomplish this year.” 

With both squads returning strong members and bringing in many newcomers, the season is very promising for the Brave. Both teams will begin chasing down their hopes for a conference title and more on December 15th at home, as they will host Fairfield and Miamisburg in a tri meet at the Corwin M. Nixon Aquatic Center at the Miami Recreational Sports Center.

Feature Photo Cred:  Kei Brown