Senior Keely Nelson and freshman Addie Poskozim step onto the starting blocks and get in position, waiting for the buzzer to signal the start of the race. Just as the horn sounds, they shoot into the pool and begin the first race of the meet.

Thursday, Sept. 20 was a dual meet against Two Harbors for Girls Swim and Dive. They participated in twelve events that would end in a close but unfortunate loss for the Spartans, the score coming to 89-97.

While they lost the meet, there were still individual and team victories in 200-yard free by freshman Ally Rhobos, Diving by sophomore Taylee Anderson, 500 free by freshman Emma Larsen, and the 200-yard free relay by senior Erin Walpole, sophomore Molly Lenmark, sophomore Kaelyn DeRoche, and sophomore Shelby Bresnahan.

Fresh from a win against Proctor-Hermantown, this meet could’ve started with a confident and ready team if only they hadn’t suddenly caught a cold blazing through SHS. Even so, the team swam on.

“We thought we were gonna lose,” senior Erin Walpole admits. Despite any doubts, they still claimed a victory in the 200 Free Relay 1:52:89.

“I just thought, ‘beat them’,” sophomore Kaelyn DeRoche states about her mindset during the race, “I was really happy we won.”

The team also saw huge success in the Diving event with sophomore Taylee Anderson coming in first and sophomore Reese Deyo in second.

Throughout each of the races, cheers echoed throughout the room, only getting louder as time went on and spirits rose for each team. The only thing that could cut through them were sharp whistles from their coach, Bill Punkyo, as he pushed them onwards and advised them through the race.

“It was exciting not just because it was close, but because of the number of best times,” Punkyo commented about the competition, “We had almost as many best times at that meet than is usually seen in the whole year. I was very proud.”

Many people on the team achieved personal records including Payton Mattson, Brooke Hendry, Sasha Peterson, and Madi Shovein; all of whom reached 3 PRs.

This swim team also competed at the Eau Claire North Invitational the Saturday following and Cloquet Middle School on Sept. 25. Their next meeting will be Oct. 4 at 6:30 pm against Rice Lake.