On Oct. 27, 2022, a small band of swimmers faced the St. George’s pool for the first time since State in February 2021. Last year, the team consisted of around seven swimmers, and Rachel Kannady, the coach, attended every meet without fail. Without the encouragement from Kannady and the other team members, the atmosphere felt different. 

“There were not as many swimmers from the school. It felt different and lonely,” Kayden Li (10) said. “It’s a bit demoralizing when there’s only like four swimmers on the team and even the coach doesn’t come.”   

Although swimming, unlike many sports, is highly individualistic, teamwork is still prevalent in meets. Often there are long events such as the 500-meter freestyle where a team of three swimmers is needed to finish the race. Two stand on the edge of the pool: one uses a counter to help the athlete keep track of laps, while the other keeps time with a stopwatch. In other cases, swimmers compete as a relay against other teams or race against each other.

“[Having] other people around me [while racing] does encourage me,” Hadrian Graham (10) said.

In the same way that students compete for high test scores, athletes compete for times in races, with some being on the same team. When competing against a fellow teammate, bonds between teammates improve through this form of friendly competition. During the St. George’s swim meet, Li and Graham competed against each other in the 100-meter freestyle.

“I beat Kayden this weekend,” Graham said. “It was for the 100. I went like 58 [seconds].” 

Both Graham and Li practice the same amount of time each week, but on different teams, and on different level practice groups. However, both the goal and skills needed to be improved are the same. Even when athletes succeed in competitions, there are always skills to develop.

“I could have improved my technique for arms … for freestyle I could have extended further.”  Graham said.

After five regular season meets, each swimmer is invited to the county championships, or the last chance to qualify for State. Because there are very few members on the swim team, current swimmers lack the ability to progress in team competitions. The team aims to garner more members and support as there are benefits of having a larger team.

“[We could go to] more events outside of swim meets,” Li said. “[We could] get to know fellow swimmers.” 

With the opening of the University of Memphis pool in late January 2023, more swimmers will be able to practice, which could help the team grow. 

 “I’m hoping that more freshmen will join the team so that would result in more people,” Li said. “I hope we do more stuff like last year.”