The Jefferson Swim and Dive team competed against Wakefield High School on Friday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 pm. Jefferson came out of the meet victorious, with the Jefferson Girls Swim and Dive team scoring 191 – 123 over Wakefield and the Jefferson Boys Swim and Dive team winning 226 – 81. 

Despite the stresses of school and the upcoming midterms, most swimmers had a positive attitude going into the meet, prepared to put their training to the test.

“We are very strong this year and had very few people missing on Friday night so we expected a big win and our team came through,” captain of the boys’ swim team, senior Jay Misener, said. “Our team performed very well for the conditions – these mid-January dual meets are always tough because we’re usually very tired but we all swam great . . . we were feeling great and it showed in the pool.”

For many students, meets can be equally nerve wracking and exciting as an opportunity to show off the hard work they have put into the sport and see how they have improved.

“I drink a lot of water and I eat pretty far in advance so I’m ready for this [the meet]. I always get nervous, so just talking to people and not thinking too hard [helps],” sophomore Sarina Saran, who participates in both swim and dive, said. “My first dive went pretty well, I was pretty proud of that. I’m about to swim 100 fly [butterfly] for the first time this season and I’m a little scared but I’m hoping to break my last time.”

With the end of the season drawing near, the swim team is looking ahead to prepare for its last meet against Marshall High School as well as postseason meets.

“I think we all need more rest so we can be energetic for our postseason meets and I know we need to fine tune the little things, like relay starts, turns, etc., heading into the postseason,” Misener said. “I think we’re looking perfect heading into our last dual meet of the season against Marshall.”

Misener, who has long been a dedicated member of Jefferson Swim and Dive, is now in his final year of being on the team.

“My long tenure with TJSD will be coming to an end within the next month. I hope that as a captain I have left some sort of legacy for the underclassmen to continue,” Misener said. “Swim and dive has by far been the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had and will forever be unparalleled.”