“Take your mark…” These are three nerve-wrecking words echoing through the mind of a swimmer as they wait, perfectly fixated upon their block, for the signal to burst forth with every ounce of strength – the strength that was derived from countless hours of physically demanding practice and mental preparation. Countless hours dedicated to this one specific moment. Suddenly, the start signal blares. The sight of sensational splashes from emphatic kicking combined with the piercing cheers from proud teammates and fans is what completes the aquatic environment. Apart from the fact that not many individuals “cheer” for this certain sport, the Lincoln-Way Central community creates an ecstatic atmosphere that not only reveals their sense of pride, but also aids in the success of the swimmers.
The 2024 swim season has brought many new opportunities into the Aquatic Department, both from athletic and social aspects. Extremely hard efforts from the swimmers combined with the relentless diligence of Coach Shaughnessy, Coach Meske, Coach Cook, and Coach Bausa empowered the team to success. Regarding their 2024 season, the girls placed first in their home invite on September 14th – beating five other teams, stayed undefeated their whole season, took the title of Conference Champions, placed second in Sectionals, and now have four girls competing at State! With all the ups and downs of the season, the unified determination of the swimmers is ultimately from their indelible bond with each other. Showing up to practice with a positive attitude, a focused mindset, and an upbeat energy is something that is not easy to be consistent with, yet the girls had no problem doing so. The team’s astonishing season was accomplished with their team dynamic, setting the example for future Knights, and making history with their remarkable sportsmanship.
Being part of a team not only brings athletic opportunities, but lifelong benefits as well. On October third, the girls defeated Andrew High School in a dual meet. Not only did they take home the win, but four swimmers on the team, Genevive Dal Ponte, Hannah Quigley, Emma Rapcan, and Kayla Rompala broke a 38-year-old pool record in the 400 Freestyle relay with a time of 3:39:87. This astounding achievement brought an unmatched level of pride to both the team and the school. As word got around of their triumph, it was soon discovered that the previous record of the 400 Freestyle relay was set by a team in 1986, composed of four girls who were State Medalists; one of which is currently a counselor at LWC, Mrs. Jurges! Unveiling this fact was extremely surprising; it revealed how a sport can significantly impact one’s life by sparking past experiences and opening up new opportunities. After learning this, Mrs. Jurges was invited to talk to the swim team to inspire their futures in academic, social, and athletic settings. To hear the thoughts after listening to Mrs. Jurges, Hannah Quigley, State Qualifier and Team Captain, found that, “Hearing Mrs. Jurges speak was a phenomenal experience and it was such a crazy coincidence to have broken her relay record. By observing the recollection of her personal journey in both high school and college, I found myself extremely inspired to the great impact that swimming took upon her future, overall interconnecting her life.”
Throughout these revolutionary accomplishments and discoveries of the girls’ 2024 swim season, it can be concluded that all sports, not just swim, carry remarkable experiences that will carry an unforgettable legacy and foster a prosperous future. Knights, “take your mark”. Stay involved, motivated, and hopeful; your future is bright!
