The Mounds View boys swim and dive team is nearing the end of an exciting season. With several athletes delivering impressive performances, standout swimmers like juniors Danny Bai, Ben Lawrence and senior captain Peyton Kwan have led the charge in important moments like the hard fought win in the Stillwater dual meet. Bai broke the Park High School record for 100 meter backstroke while placing first in two of his heats, along with Lawrence and Kwan both placing first in their own heats. Their strong performances lead to Mounds View’s first win in the Stillwater dual meet in 13 years. “[The win] was a huge boost to team morale. It’s proof the work that we put in practice is making us faster and better swimmers every day,” said senior captain Joseph Cole.

After several experienced seniors graduated last year, Mounds View entered this season with a much younger roster. However, many of these athletes were already familiar with competitive swimming, competing outside of school in their own clubs. “A lot of rookies we had were already pretty good,” said head coach Chris Yauch. “They had swam in a swim club so they were pretty much ready to go.” 

The influx of younger swimmers has also changed the team dynamic in ways beyond just performance. “Their energy is different. Their music taste is different,” said Cole. “Adapting to that has been awkward at times, but they’ve all been really excited and just happy to be here. It’s been fun watching them grow and get closer.” While many of the younger athletes are still developing, many have committed to offseason training through club or just casual swimming, setting a solid foundation for the future.

With the significant shift in team composition from last year, leadership from the upperclassmen has played a crucial role in shaping the team’s chemistry and performance. Senior captains Cole, Kwan and Balraj Gill have worked hard to create a positive environment for the swim team throughout the season. “We’re first and foremost a team that values our friendships,” said Cole. “At the end of the day, the wins and losses don’t define us. What matters most is the moments we share as a team.”

One key aspect of the team’s preparation for the season has been training with a focus on dropping time. At the start of the season, the coaching staff evaluates their swimmers’ speeds and then designs challenging drills based on their performance. The training process also includes an intense conditioning phase, followed by a taper period where their workload is gradually reduced — a crucial part of training for endurance sports like swimming. Since the athletes’ bodies are used to intense training, they are able to increase their energy from this taper, better preparing for championship meets at the end of the season.  

Mounds View boys swim and dive continue to work in both practice and competition as the season progresses, grasping at every chance for improvement. As the postseason approaches, the team has continued working toward shaving more time off their races and getting as many swimmers qualified for state as possible. “Our goals for state are honestly just going after personal records and enjoying our races,” said Kwan. While this year can be seen as a period of transition for many, the program’s future lies within the hands of their athletes’ hard work, raw talent and stable coaching.