Page 198 - 1998.Millard.North

.. Senior Ali son Eilers takes a breather before

starting the next set of laps in her daily workout.
Eilers spent nearly six hours in the pool each day GoiNG
before the state competition. photo by Emily
Hunter
Sophomore Rachel Armijo stops to look at the clock
during a workout. Improving individual and relay
times were among swimmers' main goals. photo by fOR THE
Emily Hunter
fiNISHLINE

By: Molly Sharon
Team unity was an important ral- boys' 200 m medley team , made up of
lying point for the swimming and diving seniors Dave Slack, Michael Shald, sopho-
team . As swimmers, divers, and coaches more Jason Bergett, and junior Mike
worked together, the benefits of a team Schneider, came in third with a time of
effort became evident. 1 :39.04.1n the 200 m freestyle relay the
'The whole team felt like one . boys' team , Michael Shald, Dave Slack,
There was no JV/varsity separation like I Mike Schneider, and junior Andy Williams,
experienced last year. We all stuck to- took fourth. The girls ' 200m medley team,
gether and were supportive to each other," consisting of juniors Trina Larson and
junior Katie Fields said. Stacey Oshima, sophomore Miranda
Senior Megan Esslinger also Shald, and senior Megan Esslinger, also
found team unity essential to her success. finished third at 1 :52 .83 .
"A lot of swimmers gave up in In individual competition Miranda
their hearts before they gave up in the Shald took third in the 1OOm butterfly finals
pool , but I real ized that if we all put forth and sixth in the 100 m backstroke. Trina
our best effort and united as a team to Larson finished fifth in the 50m freestyle,
accomplish our goals, then we couldn't and in the same event, Michael Shald
get discouraged," Esslinger said. placed third .
Team unity also played an impor- In diving sophomore Jill Irwin
tant role at the state competition , espe- placed third overall and sen ior Brandon
cially in the team's overall placements May took sixth in state.
and in the relays. Though individual success was a
The boys placed fifth in state definite result of the state competition and
team standings, with a score of 117, miss- the entire season , the swimming and div-
ing fourth place by one point. The girls ing teams found that working together
placed eighth overall with a score of 75. provided a unique sense of individual and
In the state relay competition the team pride.

Diving: front- Coach Dan Murphy, Jennifer Kullman, Joanna Kay,
Jean Huff; back- Jill Irwin, Phi l Minino, Brandon May, Amy Buell;
not pictured- Bethany Mealeners photo by Ja ck Martin Photography

Sophomores Brent Dahmke, Jason Bergelt, and Todd
Lessley practice in the pool with k.ickb oards. They
used the boards for sprints and oth er fast-paced
workout activities. photo by Emily Hunter

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