Due to the fact that Xavier High School does not havea swimming pool, seniors Anne Baumann, Jessica Lyon and Emma Dworzynski were given a unique opportunity to join Kennedy High School’s swim team. “I was introduced to an amazing program freshman year, then our coach Ivan left at the end of the season,” Baumann said. “Sophomore year our new coach Chad Derlein came in and put new touches on the program Ivan Sanchez had left behind. Since then I have watched the program grow and now as a team captain I have been able to add my own personal touches to the program.” With the recent changes in the coaching staff, leadership has been crucial in making sure the team stays as persistent as they were before. “I try to show up with excitement and enthusiasm to every practice, even if it is at five in the morning,” Baumann said. “A positive attitude, especially from a captain, can go a long way for team morale.” Dworzynski hopes to teach the younger swimmers the importance of effort. “You get what you put in and most underclassmen do not understand that yet,” Dworzynski said. The seniors have a higher team goal in mind this year, competing against roughly 40 teams, making competitions even more fierce. “The team goal is to get tenth or above in the state this year since we got eleventh last year,” Lyon said. Baumann has the same team goal as Lyon, but also a personal goal. “I am going for the 100 back team record of 57.9 seconds, last year I was 59.58,” Baumann said. In order to achieve their goals, the Kennedy swim team has been working three mornings a week on lifting and cardio with their strength coach, as well as swimming five times with two meets a week. “We all encourage each other to put in the work because we know it will pay off,” Baumann said. This year is not all about the stats and records for Lyon, but rather growing closer with her teammates. “I hope that all the seniors put it in their heads that the most important part of the season is to get the chemistry and to have fun with each other,” Lyon said. “If you do not have fun with the people you spend the whole week with, you will not want to be there and you will not have as good of a season as you want to. Although being a senior signifies an end, Baumann is grateful for what each chapter brings her. “As a freshman I could not imagine having to leave after only four years,” Baumann said, “Now being a senior well into my fourth year, I am content with this being my last year. I am going to enjoy all of my lasts, and next year I am looking forward to the world of college swimming.” Every chapter has an ending, so it is important to cherish it in the present moment. Go support Baumann, Lyon, Dworzynski and the rest of the Kennedy swim team in their meet at Linn-Mar Aquatic Center, Saturday, September 19 starting at 10am.