By Caroline Barry
Sports reporter
Boys’ Swim Captain Tom Hardy
What are your team goals as you and your team head into the competitive season; including Dual County League Championships, sectionals, regionals and so on?
“For [Dual County Championships], our goal is to beat the teams we beat during the regular season, and for sectionals and states, to sort of confirm Newton South as a real contender in the league with our 200 and 400 freestyle relays. At [Dual County Championships] we usually place right in the middle of the pack even though we only lost to three teams during the regular season. This year I think we’re gonna do much better. Our strongest events are by far the 100 freestyle, and the 400 freestyle relay.”
What will be your primary focus in preparation during the week before Dual County League Championships?
“[This week] the team is primarily gonna focus on getting in as many yards as we can before it’s time to taper and keeping everyone healthy”
What have you guys been working on in practice?
“If [Dual County Championships] is gonna be your last swim or your last chance to make sectionals, you taper at practice, doing fewer yards but faster, focusing on swimming your race over and over again.”
What do you think will be the end result of the Championship meet?
“As a whole, the team is expecting to place pretty much in the middle of the pack for [Dual County Championships], but our relays will be competing for a top three spot. We should also have a good number of guys getting [Dual County League] All Stars.”
Have you seen any increased leadership? If so, from which members?
“There hasn’t been an increase in leadership so much as an increase in dedication. The kids who really want a specific time are really going after it. Especially the freshman and juniors.”
What are some team bonding or individual rituals you guys have before meets?
“For team bonding, the girls died their hair last weekend, and the guys are gonna shave our legs this Friday. As far as individual rituals go, it’s pretty standard.”
Girls’ Swim Captain Katie Kaufman
What are you main team goals moving forward?
“Our team goals for [Dual County Championships] are to swim fast and get more girls and boys to qualify for states and sectionals. Right now, we have a good amount of swimmers qualified and a lot more on the border, so we are working hard to get those swimmers the times they want and need. I think the boys will place in the top eight and girls top fifteen.”
What have you guys been working on in practice?
“Starts, turns, and finishes have been the main focus.”
What have you seen your team improving on in these last few weeks?
“In these last few weeks a ton of swimmers have dropped time from their events and a few even qualified for sectionals.”
Have you seen any increased leadership? If so, from which members?
“The juniors have really stepped up recently as leaders and I think they will do an amazing job next year leading the team.”
What are some team bonding or individual rituals you guys have before meets?
“Before [Dual County Championships] the girls get together and dye our hair and the boys get together and have a shaving party. Every Friday we have a team dinner.”
