![WSPN’s Annika Martins and Maddie Zajac explore the athletic life of senior Annabelle Zhang through her badminton career. “This [photo] is me and my former partner after we won the 2022 junior nationals mixed doubles category,” Zhang said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_6629-1200x900.jpg)
As winter sports head into full swing, teams begin predicting the overall outcome of their seasons based on their performance so far in the season. The Wayland swim and dive team has had success so far, starting their season undefeated.
The Wayland swim and dive team has an honorable history of achievements, which appears to be the track for this season as well. Last season, both the girls and boys team went on to compete in the Dual County League Championship (DCL’s) and the girls pulled out with a win. In past years, both the girls and boys swim team have advanced to sectionals and states. As of Thursday, Jan. 25, the girls swim and dive team holds a record of 13-0-0 and the boys swim and dive team has a record of 14-1-1. Both teams plan to continue to work on team dynamic and commitment.
“I think that both the swimmers and divers have a very good dynamic,” senior Mia Mee said. “Practices are hard, [but] we are all there for each other and help one another succeed, [which allows] the whole team to succeed.”
Some returning swimmers work to beat their previously held records. According to some team members, swimming incorporates a strong sense of community and teamwork, as an athlete is mostly competing against themselves in practices and meets. Some expressed that it’s not only crucial for teammates to push each other, but it’s necessary for athletes to push themselves in order to see desired results.
“I have noticed improvement [from last season],” senior Zach Rainville said. “I’ve been working super hard and I’ve been really focusing more on my dive and turn, [which] is going [to] make the difference in my times.”
For some sports, athletes have different strengths and weaknesses. Some swimmers focus on specific events, like the backstroke, butterfly and freestyle. Swimmers are able to capitalize on their strengths by choosing to specialize in a stroke they are superior in. Although practices consist of different preparation for each event, each practice contains different drills both in and out of the water.
“We run through extensive stroke training during the practices before meets,” sophomore Erica Wilson said. “We practice for [additional time] instead of the usual two hours. The additional [practice time] consists of land training.”
For some swimmers, swimming can take a toll on both their physical and mental health because of the long duration of practices and training that come with the sport. However, some athletes hope that their hard work during the season will pay off in the long run.
“I’ve been working really hard and [focusing] on the [skills] I’m good at, so hopefully I can get even faster and place high at states,” Rainville said.
