Practicing up to 15 hours a week, the Girls Swimming and Diving team definitely puts in the work. And yet, other students rarely come out to see the team compete. “People are usually like, ‘We have a swim team?’” senior captain Anna Matenaer said. The team is joined with Highland Park Senior High School, who make up the majority of the team. Both schools practice together and most girls have been on the team since 7th grade, creating a strong community with less school affiliation and more personal contact.

This year’s team is relatively young and new, with three divers and ten swimmers. For some new members, the teams first unscored meet on Saturday, Aug. 21, was the first they’d ever competed in. This year, the Sparks look ahead to beating their rival, Como Park Senior High School, and possibly finishing third in their Conference meet at the end of October. “I think people are a little more committed to the team than they have been in previous years, and there’s more positivity surrounding the coaching staff and workouts,” senior captain Sela Patterson said.