Girls swim started out strong securing third place at the annual Kendall Pickering Invitational hosted by Hinsdale Central on Aug. 31. After winning fourth overall at state last year, the team is looking to match their success in their upcoming state run, head varsity swim coach Scott Walker said.

“We really want the opportunity to trophy come November,” Walker said. “Without question, it’s doable, but we need to prove ourselves throughout the season. There’s going to be a close fight between probably four teams for the third-place trophy.”

Last year’s state team consisted of 10 swimmers and two divers, swim captain Ella Jean Kelly ‘25 said. The group has many returning swimmers, meaning this season is gearing up for a similar competitive outcome. 

“We have many returning swimmers and our girls are just getting better,” Kelly said. “I could see some girls who didn’t make state last year making it this year. I think our state team can be really good this year.”

In addition to the success at the Kendall Pickering Invitational, the freshman squad journeyed to Downers Grove South on Aug. 24, winning first place, Kelly said. 

“It was the first time we’ve ever competed in the Downers Grove Freshman invitational, and we won it,” she said. “I think it makes a pretty big statement.”

On the day of the freshman meet, practice was cut short so that the rest of the squad could go and watch their underclassmen teammates compete, Walker said.

“To see all of them– up there in their team shirts, sitting together– it’s like we literally stole Downers Grove South’s pool,” he said. “It’s like it was our pool for three hours. There were no other teams that had any other teammates up in the stands. We didn’t tell them to go to the meet after practice; they did it all on their own. It’s unconditional.”

With 5:30 a.m. practices Monday, 6 a.m. dryland Tuesday and Thursday, and practices everyday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. after school, maintaining a fun and close knit community is key, Walker said. 

“Supporting one another as a team, having fun with one another, and working toward a common goal is extremely important,” he said. “The fun part has got to be in the mixture of all of it.”

While there are three different levels of swim, everyone swims the same workout just modified, Walker said. Ultimately, the joint struggle helps build a community within the team.

“We believe you are who you train with so make sure you’re supporting who you’re with so they can make you a better swimmer in turn,” Walker said. 

Girls swim’s next meet is away at Rosary High School on Saturday, Sept. 28. The next home swim meet will be Thursday, Oct. 3.