By J1 Reporter Abby Sparwasser

The Marian Swim and Dive team has been known to be one of the largest, if not the largest, sports team at Marian High School with a whopping 29 student-athletes. While this is a strength during meets, getting to know everyone on the team can sound challenging. Thankfully for the girls, the coaches make it light work.

Sophomore Anna Rainbolt ‘28, a swimmer on the team, emphasizes how the coaches put in the effort to make the team, as a whole, feel comfortable with each other. “[Coach BJ Christiansen] always mixes up lanes,” Rainbolt said. “We’re with new people every time, and we make sure there’s always seniors, juniors, freshmen and sophomores all together.”

Rainbolt also pointed out the activities they do as a team, even if they don’t involve swimming. Secret Santa is a special event the girls look forward to each year that takes place at their annual Christmas party with everyone involved.

New teammates and freshmen are not forgotten, either. “The freshmen drive to practice with the older kids. They get to know the team and all the other people when they’re in the lanes,” Rainbolt said.

Freshman Maddie Wallace ‘29 can attest to this. As this is her first year on the Marian swim and dive team as a swimmer, she frequently interacts with upperclassmen as well as her own grade. The swimmers have about nine practices a week, so there are endless amounts of chances to get to know everyone on the team. “I would say that I feel a lot more welcome at Marian,” Wallace said. “Just because of the team community within the swim and dive program. There are girls who are saying hi to me in the halls now that might not have in the first week of school.”

Though bonding as a team is important, it is also crucial that Marian girls show up for swim meet events to support them. Their first meet will be Saturday, Dec. 6 and they are anticipating a large student section.