This 2024-25 season, the swim team brought their best attitude and energy to the pool, finishing in first place 3 out of 7 meets. As being part of the swim team I have first handedly seen the growth in skill, team bonding and mental strength. Coach Murphy, who emphasizes that “consistency is key” to achieving peak performance has played a crucial role in the improvement and development of the girls.
Coach Murphy and Coach Hart’s approach has always been straightforward: focus on what works. “Why change when we have a winning formula” they say. Their method is pretty simple but can make all the difference. Combining basic training in the pool along with cross-training, the team is being set up to win big.
“The fastest way to get in shape is through cross-training and conditioning,” Coach Murphy said.
The strong team spirit and strong mindset has led the team through meets and practices. “Don’t talk about it; be about it,” Coach Hart often tells the swimmers, encouraging each of them to give 110 percent effort every time they dive into the pool. Their intense training and dedication have helped boost not only their physical fitness, but their confidence as well. Senior swimmer Amelia Gonzales tells how far she has come since her freshman year, going from a 36-second time in her 50 free event to 31 seconds this season. Junior Bella Pedraja’s, commitment over her 3 years has resulted in cutting about 10 to 20 seconds off her time. 
The season has had great times but has definitely not been without its challenges, especially for the team’s youngest girls. Freshman Bibi Retana remarked that “running the mile before practice was more intimidating than anything else,”despite being surrounded by 18 seniors on the team. The freshmen feel a sense of admiration and inspiration from their senior teammates. Freshman Natalia Ballerdi shared, “I thought they were really talented at first, and I was a bit intimidated but now I know that they are super sweet.”
With districts right around the corner, the determination to win is clear. The swimmers have sharpened their mental toughness and focused their energy on strategies that work for them personally. When asked what goes through her mind during the tiring 500 free which equates to 19 laps, senior Bella Pedraja shared that she breaks the race down by 100s, focusing on her technique. Each 100 is focused on a different skill including her legs, arms, breathing, and speed as the race progresses.
Looking back on their years with the team, Seniors Amelia Gonzales and Isablla Caceres, reflected on what they will miss most. For Gonzales, it’s the “fun times and team spirit,” which she describes as “beautiful” to witness, especially in how the team supports each other.” For senior Isa Caceres, it’s “the people she is surrounded with and diving exercises Murphy has us do.” 
Coach Murphy and Hart believe in the team’s potential to win at districts, and it’s a sentiment shared by the swimmers. With 110 percent effort, consistency, and dedication, they have shown that they’re not just a team but a family, with every stroke, every mile run, and every victory won along the way.
