The coed varsity swim and dive team’s first meet of the season was an unofficial away meet against Poolesville on Dec. 3. After this meet, the team went up against Whitman and won 238-133. Their next event will be against Richard Montgomery on Jan. 28, following two tied meets against Walter Johnson on Jan. 7 and BCC on Jan. 14. Their last meet of the season will be Metroes on Feb. 8.

The girls entered the season going up against Richard Montgomery in a separate, unofficial scrimmage on Nov. 30. They competed against Bethesda Chevy Chase on Dec. 7, ending with a 96-90 loss. Sophomore Ava Nieto said, “We had a scrimmage against RM, and I think it was really smooth. I got second heat, which are terms that swimmers use to split up the events, and I won 50 butterfly. Our team honestly feels like a big family, and everyone is comfortable. I’m really excited to start the season off and I’m honored to swim with the rest of the team and our swimmers. Everyone is really talented and hardworking, and along with our great co-coaches, we look forward to a successful and fun season.”

On Dec. 14, the girls went up against Churchill, losing 111-75, followed by another loss against Walter Johnson 141-45. Regardless of their rocky start in the season, Nieto emphasized the need to balance individual performance and collaboration throughout the team. “The thing about swimming with a team that’s really important is collaboration and learning how everyone works together and individually,” Nieto said. “It’s important to learn swimmer’s styles individually and see their strengths and weaknesses, but it’s also important to know how to incorporate that into the team as a whole.”

Sophomore Seline Sivaslian said she is excited to continue to swim into the new year. “Ava [Nieto] and I joined swimming last year, and we both had a lot of fun trying out and meeting the team,” Sivaslian said. “It’s a great community, and I think we have a good balance of having fun and also being successful and competing against other teams.”

Boys’ team swimmers also said they are excited to continue a successful season, although they haven’t been able to start with as much success as the girls’ team, losing 105-78 to Bethesda-Chevy Chase on Dec. 15. Sophomore Lev Gorban said he strives to continue working hard and preserving through this year’s season, regardless of a rocky start. “I’m confident that the boy’s swim team will continue to be successful when competing, and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the year and working alongside the rest of the swimmers.”

The boys, like the girls, will race Churchill, Walter Johnson, RM and Poolsville. In the new year, they will have two more away meets on Feb. 1 (Churchill) and Feb. 5 (Walter Johnson).

The girls have two more away meets against other teams that are yet to be decided. “I’m really excited for the upcoming year for the swim team, because I know our hardwork and dedication will lead us to success when going up against other teams,” Nieto said. “We’re really happy to be on such a great team with so many talented swimmers.”

Coach Kevin Fisher did not respond to requests for comment.