Swimming into Sections

Ally Pendleton, Journalist|May 6, 2019

This year, the Ripon High Swim Team has many of their simmers going to sections in early May. For this season, they have made many accomplishments and they’ve broken records as well.

When looking throughout the entire swim season, the girl’s team won their league championships (VOL) for a fifth year in a row. They also won the VOL meet for their JV and Varsity teams. The boys’ team came in second for league, but they won the VOL meet for boys.

Amber Scheid is a senior at Ripon High that has been swimming for a total of nine years. For sections, she will be doing four events including the 200 yard medley relay, 200 yard freestyle relay, 100 yard freestyle, and 100 yard breaststroke.

“I’m really excited for sections this year,” Shied said, “I had a tough year last season and knowing this year will be my last, I’m making the best of it. I trained hard all year and now I just have to go out and rave and try to get the times for college.”

Sections can be quite the excitement for many swimmers. It gives you the opportunity to have a lot of competition in all the different events.

“I’m super excited for sections! I’m excited because I’m hoping to get a .23 in my 50 free and possibly go to state. I’m also excited to be with all my friends and make many memories at sections,” sophomore, Ashtyne Topie, explained.

Although swim can be a challenge, many memories are made with teammates throughout the sport.

“One of my favorite memories from swim this year was when one of my teammates, Connor, hit me with a paper plate. It was super funny,” freshman, Donovan Armstrong stated.

Staying involved in swim takes a lot of time and effort outside of school. Even though it can tend to be a really tough sport, many swimmers like to take on the challenges.

“Swim has definitely given me a lot of challenges throughout my two seasons so far. I have a lot of doubt about my own physical abilities but trying to overpower that doubt has made me a lot better,” Topie stated, “I feel more confident in myself and my abilities to do things, so yes, I really do like the challenges swim has thrown at me.”