Photo taken by Chloe Katzberg
The Tiger swimmers will be competing at the NSAA State Swimming and Diving tournament in Lincoln on February 28.
The team has been preparing and achieving lifetime best times as a team throughout the last few meets.
“State is a competition that takes immense focus and preparation,” Head Coach Montana Hefferman said. “Seeing them show up to practices shows me they are ready for state, and it also shows in their last few meets as each meet as a team we’ve had 20+ lifetime bests a meet.”
The team has two meets to prepare before their upcoming state tournament. Both these meets will be held in Hastings at the YMCA.
“For the rest of the season, I believe we all need to push each other to the best of our abilities,” sophomore Fiona Kryzsko said. “Pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones will help us achieve our goals.”
The Tigers compete on a co-op team with swimmers from Adams Central High School. The team has a combined 23 swimmers this season, which is less than last year.
“Fewer swimmers… many could see that as a weakness, but it has really brought us all together,” Kryzsko said. “I believe having a positive environment can do wonders for a team, and this year we have that environment.”
Kryzsko said she and the team are excited for state.
“Overall, our team has been prepared and looking forward to state since we started the season,” Kryzsko said. “[But] with excitement also comes nerves.”
On the boys side, senior Lucas Sidlo leads the team in the 50/100/200 free as well as the 100 backstroke and fly.
“Going in as one of a few seniors, I definitely felt some pressure,” Sidlo said. “However, it motivates me to lead [with] a positive example for my teammates.”
Kryszko leads the team in both the 50 free and the 100 fly for the girls.
“Every meet I compete in more than one event; if I guide my focus to just the upcoming event, it brings my stress down a lot,” Kryszko said.
A younger leader on the team is Junior Bennet Baack, who leads the team swimming the fastest team 100 meter breaststroke.
“From JV to varsity, every single swimmer is dialed in and ready to work; it has made all the difference,” Hefferman said.
Following these last two meets, they will head off to state feeling prepared.
“I’m proud of where our team is at, and we’ve put in a lot of hard work,” Sidlo said. “I’m very excited to see what my teammates and myself will accomplish.”
