Girls swimming is more than how to swim to win.
The OHS girls swimming team held their first meet of the 2016 season on Tuesday. But during a recent visit with several team members, including both team captains, the conversation was about motivation and relationships.
The team has grown in the past two years from 16 swimmers in 2014 to 42 swimmers this season. Girls swim coach, Cherie Langland, attributes the growth to the number of girls who tried Shark Club, a new synchronized swimming club. “Those girls challenged themselves to try something new and had a great experience,” said Langland. “This carried over to trying swim team.”
The girls attribute it solely to their coach. “She is the first person you see when you get out of the pool,” said Kyleigh Wagner, an OHS swimmer who is in her first year on swim team. She had a friend who knew the coach and thought Shark Club sounded fun. She joined last year, not knowing how to swim. “I actually learned how to swim [in Shark Club],” she said.
The atmosphere is very positive. “There is a lot of cheering,” said Wagner. And lots of hugs too, the girls shared.
“Everyone feeds off that positive energy,” said Olivia Bohlman, another senior.
The team is made up of girls at a variety of different skill levels. Everyone competes, with personalized practices developed by Coach Langland. “Coach uses a lot of positive re-enforcement,” said Klayre Michel, a junior and team captain. The push to achieve success comes from within. “You are as good as you want to be” is what the coach instills in her team.
Michel is another team member who learned to swim last year. Her best friend was on the team and said the coach was really nice. “The team jells together really well,” she said. “Varsity or JV (junior varsity), we are just one team.”
“Everyone wants you to succeed,” said Bohlman. And due to the growth, Jennifer Keith was hired as an assistant coach to make sure each girl is getting the attention they need to be successful.
Ellen Carlson, a senior and team captain, has swam most of her life. She came up through the Barracudas swim club and swam under Heidi Owens, Mike McWilliams, and Langland. “Langland is an amazing coach,” she said. “She would do anything for you.”
The swimmers were also excited about the new starting platforms that were installed the day of their first meet. “It is nice to see the swim program progress,” said Carlson.
The platforms, purchased with donations from several parents, community members, and the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation, show “the strong connection between community and the school,” said Bohlman.
“I’m proud of these girls who have gained such a life lesson, trying something new, working hard, succeeding,” said Langland. “They are a terrific group of girls!”
“Join!!” said Kate VanNest, a senior.
“It will be hard to say good-bye [at the end of the season] definitely,” said Bohlman.
