Members of the Paly’s swimming team practice after school. The varsity girls will compete in their first meet of the 2012 season on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
– Juliana Moraes-Liu
The Palo Alto High School girls’ swimming team will start this year’s season with a meet against Menlo School and Los Altos High School tomorrow, at Paly.
The team has been preparing for the season, and senior swimmer Megan Bredenberg explained thier hopes.
“I hope that this year we can reach our full potential not only as individual swimmers but also as a team,” Bredenberg said. “That includes everyone getting through our nine mandatory practices a week, along with winning leagues again, and we are also aiming to bring home the CCS [Central Coast Section championship] title this year.”
Teammate Karina Goot echoes Bredenberg’s expectations.
“This year our team goals are high,” Goot said. “We are also looking forward to having a great season. We are hoping to win leagues, and than go on and place first at CCS. Everyone is really motivated, and all the girls are working very hard.”
Last year, varsity girls’ swimming won the league championship for the seventh time in a row, according to the Paly Swimming Website.
The team, coached by Danny Dye, placed second at the CCS championships in 2011, behind Archbishop Mitty High School, according to the official website. Paly finished the CCS with 255 points, 19 points away from first place, after suffering from a disqualification on a relay race.
“We are finally ready to win [the CCS Championships] this year,” Bredenberg said.
The team includes only one freshman, Olivia Vort. Seniors on the team are Shannon Scheel, Laura Cui, Megan Bredenberg, Alex Lin, Rachel Vershel, Maddie Berger, Margaret Wenzlau, Rachelle Holmgren and Jasmine Tosky.
The team hopes for a great season with excellent results and a really fun time.
“This year we are working hard as a team and cheering each other on everyday at practice,” Goot said. “We want to have a really fun season but also work hard and do well. Our team this year is like a giant family.”