Wakefield swim team propels toward improvement

The Wakefield swim team of 2016 recently had their first swim meet of the year. The boys placed third and the girls placed fourth in the meet against Millbrook, Leesville, and Sanderson.  For the last couple years, the swim team has not been greatly successful, however the swimmers always manage to have a good time. This year, Head Coach Courtney Wainio has a grand vision for the swim team and wants to establish the Wolverines as a serious contender.

“I expect our boys to make states in several events and the girls should move up several positions in the Cap 8.” Wainio said.

As well as improvements in speed and ranking, there are other differences this year that Wainio has noticed.

“We have a lot more swimmers this year. There was a lot more success for the boys in the first meet and the girls will improve when they are all in attendance,” Wainio said. “We have also kept the tight family closeness of the team with great captains and makes a huge difference. That’s why people join the swim team, because they see what a great time we have and swimming is a lifelong sport.”

Many swimmers this year are inexperienced and for some is their first time swimming competitively.

“I’m taking a big risk but they are working hard and getting help from the older swimmers” Wainio said. “They are limited to one event but I hope to see them expand into other events.”

Although the attendance has been slacking in the past, Coach Wainio has now required swimmers to come every day to practice except for once every month and Senior Leo Tuenker believes this will be a step in the right direction.

Senior Leo Tuenker has high hopes for the swim team this year and feels they have much talent going into the swim season.

Tuenker has been swimming since middle school and has been on the Wakefield swim team since freshman year and he has embraced the family atmosphere that comes with the swim team.

“I believe most people join swim team because of the inviting yet competitive atmosphere it  provides,” Tuenker said. “Everyone there is a big family with a central goal of winning meets and going best times. We get tons of work done, but we also have tons of fun.”

Even after four years, Tuenker still loves swimming for Wakefield and is always excited to go to the meets.

“My favorite part of swim team is when the team rallies around an individual’s swim.” Tuenker said. “To see the collective team go absolutely insane for thirty seconds just in an attempt to morally boost someone going for a best time is an amazing feeling of caring and passion that can’t be properly described but is understood by anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to take part in it.”

Team manager Molly Heym, now a senior, has watched the team progress over the years.  She began her position as a sophomore

“Everybody always gets super excited for swim meets, especially the relays,” Heym said. “We all cheer super loudly before meets start and during the actual events. The energy is contagious.”

Heym says that the swim team is always looking for new members even ones with little swim experience night and encourages them to enjoy the challenge..

“I would tell them to do it! I joined swim my sophomore year with no experience and it made me not only a better swimmer but an overall better athlete,” Heym said. “Coach Wainio and the year round swimmers and really helpful and you’re never the only one who has no experience! Everybody is always learning something new.”