With the regional and state meets upcoming, the boy and girl swim teams for Oviedo High School (OHS) hope to wrap their season up with some good final performances to help continue Oviedo Swimming’s winning tradition.
Both teams went a perfect 5-0 in dual meets this year and have kept that momentum over their larger meets, with the boys finishing second in the conference and third in the district, while the girls have remained undefeated, winning the district and conference. The teams want to keep their form over the coming meets.
“Our girls’ team is currently undefeated as we head into Regionals next week. A major goal for us is to win the meet overall,” said senior swim captain Adrienne Barowsky.
These teams have had so much success thanks to the environment that they have created, which helps them grow as people and swimmers. “I think we have a good environment of girls who like to push each other and I know that definitely helps me,” said sophomore Laney Cupit.
Surrounding all swimmers with positivity and a place to improve is a goal set straight from the top.
“[We] try to foster an environment where a team can reach its potential by working together,” said coach Charlie Rose. Rose’s experience as a coach has helped to create an environment that supports his swimmers in one of Oviedo’s most physically and mentally demanding sports.
“I think that I probably wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for him,” Cupit said. “I’m definitely tired a lot but I think that he knows what he’s doing and it’s nice to be able to trust him.”
The importance of fun as well as focus is not lost on members of the team. Especially not some of its most experienced members.
“Being supportive of one another and focusing on the things we can control such as attitude, team environment, and focusing in practices have made a huge difference in the performance of so many swimmers,” Barowsky said. “[But] most importantly having fun always led us to have the most success.”
Staying positive while staying dedicated is crucial for the team, as while swimming requires remarkable dedication, the swimming teams are one of the few sports teams at OHS that has practice twice a day.
“Its definitely hard to wake up some days but it’s worth it, your not the only one and you’re doing it with your buddies… it’s part of doing the sport, [it is] like a pride moment,” Cupit said.
The hard work the team has put in has paid off so far this season with their dominant performances, and they hope the hard work continues to pay off in the upcoming meets.
“[We are] looking to get as many swimmers as possible to the State meet that follows Regionals. Our boys team has also scored high this season and we are looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish as well,” Burowsky said.
With the team’s success in recent years, the teams this year have big shoes to fill, but their commitment and team spirit give them every chance to accomplish big things at the end of this season.
