With swim season in full swing, enthusiasm is high.

The South Eugene swim team started back in November, and now they are looking forward to their upcoming championship season. The team is led by Coach Taylor Cole and Assistant Coach Hayes Vertulfo, as well as boys captains Tim Trojan and Ari Ozdogan and girls captains Yuni Sim and Amelia Sydes.

“Number one goal this season as a team is definitely to win districts but our other main goal as a team is to just have fun,” senior and team captain Ari Ozdogan said. Preliminaries for districts will be on Friday, Feb. 14 with district finals on Feb. 15. State prelims will be the following week on Feb. 21, followed by state finals on Feb. 22. 

Even with this season’s success, the team has still had to work through obstacles. One challenge the team has faced this season is scheduling issues, causing many people to have to fill in during meets. The JV team especially has really stepped up and helped to fill in for the varsity team when they need it. South is looking really strong in conference this year and are beginning to have their sights set on state after districts. They have a lot of juniors and seniors who are looking really strong for state, and even some freshmen. Feeling confident as a team, they’re going into districts and keeping their spirits high. 

Spotlight– Nola Cox:

South junior Nola Cox has been swimming for about six years. 

“My favorite thing about swimming is the relationships I’ve made over the years and how good of a workout it is,” she said. “My favorite part about being on the South Eugene Swim Team is the music we play at practice because it brings a good vibe. I also really like the team chemistry we have; it’s always a fun time.” 

This season, the team has shown real dedication. 

“Everyone puts in a lot of work, including the coaches and the parents,” Cox stated. “So I really appreciate that. The last few years, we’ve lost a lot of valuable swimmers on both sides, so I think that we will face challenges during districts, but we’ve been training really hard.” 

With districts coming up around the corner, end-of-season goals are approaching. 

“My goal for this season is I really want to win the 200 IM at districts,” Cox stated. 

Spotlight– Tim Trojan: 

South junior Tim Trojan has been swimming for about five or six years. 

“My favorite part about swimming as a sport is the kind of return you get for your work, it’s very rewarding that way. You get what you put in,” he said. “For practice it’s been challenging to stay dedicated. It’s a lot of work just making sure you’re staying focused throughout the season to get what you want out of it.” 

Trojan also elaborated on the team’s goals.

“Personally with the rest of the boys’ varsity relay, we’re looking to really score high in the four-free relay,” he stated. 

Trojan is a relay anchor for the team. 

“I love being a relay anchor. It’s just so hype, the pool gets so loud, and the end of the relay is the very last event of the meet, [so] you got the whole team behind you, and that’s when I swim my fastest.”

Article by Sofia Bell