On Nov. 17-18, the Dominican Swim Team dove into the competition at the Division I State Meet in Sulphur, Louisiana. Placing sixth overall out of twenty other schools, the team proudly surpassed many schools in their division. Members of the 2017 DHS Swim Team include (from left to right); top row senior Susan Endom, eighth grader Cecilia Haneman, senior Claire Karcher, senior Miriam Waguespack, junior Ali Lanasa, sophomore Morgan Gunnels, freshman Catalina Torres, (bottom row) sophomore Ashley DuFour, eighth grader Emma Sulivan, junior Hannah Morris, and freshman Emily Helmet.
Additionally, junior Hannah Morris placed first in the Girls 200 Yard Individual Medley (IM) and the Girls 500 Yard Freestyle, making her a state champion. Morris was very surprised at her achievement and very proud because of all the hard work she had exerted in order to win. “I practiced every day and conserve my energy before meets,” she said.
In the Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay, Dominican placed sixth out of 24 schools with a time of 1:56.36. The relay team consisted of juniors Morris, Emma MacMahon, Brie Duhe and Morgan Gunnels.
Relay team member MacMahon also placed fourth in the Girls 100 Yard Breaststroke with a time of 1:11.37. Morris, who has been on the DHS Swim Team since eighth grade, believes “eating well and daily practice” helped her to win the meet.
The swim team cut through the water in October’s Metro Meet, placing 6th overall. In the Girls 200 Yard IM, Morris placed first, and MacMahon placed third in the Girls 200 Yard IM. Their excellent performances in the Metro Meet qualified them for the State Meet.
The entire team made it their season’s goal to qualify for the State Meet. However, making it to the state level was not an easy task. Every race contributed to the all-important qualifying times which swimmers need to race in the finals.
A very diverse group competed this year. Girls from each grade level with different strengths competed this season. This year’s swim team is composed of “a good mix of each grade level,” said swim team moderator Ms. Erin Baker (‘95), “and has had a lot more eighth graders competing this year than previously.”
Both swim team captains Claire Karcher and Lucy Hood, seniors, agree that this year’s team was talented and performed great in the State Meet. “This year’s season was good” said Hood. “As a team, we were able to meet goals and work together really well.”
Everyone performed well at their final meet and are proud of their accomplishments Through hard work, dedication, and perseverance the swim team has had an amazing season and ended it with a meet performance to be proud of.
- In’ziya Magee
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