By Erin Taravella
Dragon Echo Staff
The NHS swim team is one of the most recognized teams on campus, consistently advancing at competition year after year.
Coach Carrie Scroggins said the swim team has won district since 2003 on the boys’ side, and since 2004 on the girls’ side. “A swimmer has been to state every year since 2000,” she said.
Not only is the team of 43 swimmers recognized for its success, it’s also known for being a close family of friends who support each other and promote school spirit.
“The success of the team is due to the hard work and belief in the program,” Coach Scroggins said. “Success breeds success. They know they can reach the top level because the swimmers before them have.”
One of the most long-standing traditions is the Black and Gold meet, a well-known event that community members, students, and the team look forward to each year.
This year, black team won over all, but Hannah Richey, sophomore, explained that the Black and Gold meet is not just a swim race.
“Team members dress up in as much black or gold as they can, which earns their team spirit points,” Hannah said. “The race is also broken up into other events. Swimming has the most available points, then a running race, and then water polo. We also spend time decorating the pool as much as possible for extra spirit points.”
Sophomore Emma Presley explained that the Black and Gold meet isn’t just another competition, but creates a team comradery that lasts throughout the season.
The team is divided into two parts, and kept on their separate teams for their entire high school swim career, she said.
Siblings are always kept together on the same team, which just makes the team even more like a second family.
“The black and gold meet helps build spirit for all the future meets by creating friendly competition and makes it fun with all the anticipation of seeing which team will win,” Emma said.
Coming into high school, Hannah and Emma agree that they were most excited about joining the swim team.
“I was most looking forward to being part of a team and a family,” Emma said. “Swim team is like one big happy family.”
Hannah added, “You’ll always see someone you know in the hallway and always have a friend around.”
Both Hannah and Emma also want to tell incoming freshman, “Never be scared; never say ‘I can’t’ and always push yourself to your max.”
“Even if you think you’re bad at swimming, we always need new people and would love to get some new members on the team,” Hannah said.
The NHS swim team is hosting an invitational meet Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Lehman Swim Center at 2712 Park Street.