d*Please note this story only includes what happened on the first day of GAC’s*

When the team entered the GAC meet, they weren’t exactly certain of what would happen. The outcome of the meet was pleasant, though; eight of the girls qualified for the second day, including freshman Mariah Javier. Javier also qualified for State a month ago by winning the required amount of points.  

For both Javier and the multiple other freshmen on the team, this was their first time going to GAC’s. The GAC’s are an inter-school conference where anyone is allowed to compete on the first day. For junior Elizabeth Skelly, this is not her first time going to the GAC’s but the excitement hasn’t worn off.

“Mariah and Emma are both going into GAC’s, and we’re really excited for Mariah because she’s going to state. Emma is super close to getting state, so we are really hopeful because diving is tonight and we are hoping the extra pressure will push her more because she was literally two points away [from making it to state],” said Skelly.

Javier however was a little conflicted about GAC’s, though; there’s pressure for her to do well since she’s a freshman going to state.

“[I’m looking forward to] having a good meet and getting all my dives down and not failing at anything. I’m pretty nervous but really excited,” said Javier

Though the whole team went to the conference, not all were there to swim, like junior Mckenna Starich, who was there as emotional support.

“[I was] there cheering on my team even though I wasn’t swimming. I got to be there whenever they had a good time, whenever they didn’t get the time that they wanted, just being there to cheer them on and being there if they needed me,” said Starich.

Skelly is also excited to support her team. She is returning to the team next year as of now to continue her support.

“I just really like to be on the swim team and I really like to push our team forward. I’m really excited because coach said I had a chance of being captain next year so it’s super exciting that I might have a chance to bring our team closer together more than I already do,” said Skelly.

Team spirits seem to be high after such a successful conference and many are excited if not just for their achievements, for their teammates as well.