Sports
Swimming to state
Coach Eric Thorsen likes to focus on technique and not just speed because in the long run technique will make a swimmer faster.
“We do a lot of different things than just swim back and forth. We concentrate on breathing and other techniques,” Thorsen said.
Freshman Josiah Burriola did not expect to make varsity his freshman year. He was also surprised by how difficult varsity would be, although he feels he has improved a lot.
“Swimming varsity is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I didn’t expect the other swimmers to be as fast as they are,” Burriola said.
With such a small team, Hestbech feels it is much harder to a be a leader. He says to be more aggressive, the team needs more people.
“We are a small team that lost a lot of guys last year. To be really competitive we need more people and we need to improve. I found being a leader is harder than it seemed,” Hestbech said.
Now that state is around the corner, the team changes their workout method.
“We are tapering which is where we want to be at our maximum level of fitness. To be in shape as possible. So we lighten practices,” Thorsen said.
Burriola thinks it is important to go to state, although this year he says his chances are not very high. However Next year he feels he has a good chance of making it.
“If I went to state it would be important because only the best of best go to state. To make it to state my top times would have to be better,” Burriola said.
Hestbech, who has not yet made it to state, hopes that the 200 freestyle relay he is in will make it.
“If I make it to state I just want to swim the fastest I ever have. One of our goals is for a relay to make state. I would swim a 50 in the 200 free relay. (Senior) James Kent will make it in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke,” Hestbech said.
As Thorsen reflects on the season, he feels strongly about commitment and hard work ethic.
“Our swimmers that have never been in competition before are learning very quick, which usually takes years to get good at. Swimming is a sport with no way of cheating. The harder you work, the better you get,” Thorsen said.