Meeting the Captains
At the recent swim meet at Cedar Ridge, the team captains spoke about their leadership plans, in order to connect the team both in and out of the pool.
Leading by Example
For senior captain William Orth, leadership begins with setting the tone for the rest of the team.
“I really do my best to lead by example,” Orth said. “I expect I do my best to set an example for the younger swimmers, so that they know how the team runs and how the team functions.”
According to Orth, practices often start with a short warmup, then move into longer training sets, swimming 500 to 800 yards, before doing their main sets and cooling down. Most members of the team also participate in swim clubs, practicing nearly four hours a day of swimming.
“[Despite the challenges, a benefit is] the sense of camaraderie and friendship within, so that sort of alleviates some of the social pressures, but it’s definitely a squeeze,” Orth said. “I think my long-term goal with this year is to build all the other swimmers up so that they can run the team self-sufficiently after seniors this year are gone.”
Building Community
“One of my goals to lead the team this year would probably be to make sure we have a good community, and everybody’s nice to each other, and we’re just one big team instead of just individual swimmers,” junior captain Rachel Seal said. “My goal is to make it to state on a relay again and just have fun.”
According to Seal, relays are meant to not only push swimmers athletically but also build team spirit.
“Some of my favorite memories on this team are all the relays we do,” Seal said. “I just think it really brings us together.”
Bonding the Team
Senior captain Alex Orris also focuses on team unity, describing it as central to her role.
“One of my goals as captain this year is for teammates to really bond the team, make everyone cheer for each other, and really make our team one this year,” she said. “I’ve been swimming my whole life, and I love our travels and just getting to know new people.”
According to Orris, her favorite events of the year are the championship meets.
“We all race fast and push each other to go do the best we can do,” she said.
Connecting Through Team Events
“This year, I’m gonna lead my team by making sure everyone’s connected, everyone’s talking to each other, and hanging out,” senior captain Shorjou Majumder said.
According to Majumder, the captains organize team events to build those bonds. Majumder has coordinated outings at Dairy Queen after a meet, held practice at the Barton Springs Pool, and gathered the team for lunch. In the water, Majumder specializes in the 50 freestyle.
“Honestly, I improved to where I am today just from swimming from a young age, and being around the team with such great swimmers,” Majumder said. “They constantly motivate me to swim better. They might be faster than me, but I’m always putting my effort into the practices.”
