This year the Sunlake swim and dive team rose to victory in many important areas. But, just like every other team, they had to work hard to get there. To be able to go to the big meets and events, the Sunlake swimming team has to first compete in small meets. One school against another, the Sunlake swimming team defeated one school after the other, and they all were proud of how they performed. The first big swimming meet of the season, conference had some people kind of nervous, but that also motivated them to work hard and make sure they would perform at their best. Getting into districts, some of the members were nervous and some were excited, but overall there was a great energy going in. Sunlake performed great at districts; the girls went out performing incredibly and got a deserved first place, and the boys, also performing incredibly, got second place. The excitement was noticeable, but it was no reason to ease up, as Sunlake had to get ready for regionals, a more complex and challenging competition. The hurricane made it hard to practice and be ready for regionals; the pool Sunlake used to practice was destroyed, but Sunlake did not give up. They found different places to practice and other pools they could use, and once again Sunlake had an outstanding performance, both boys and girls holding their place and making the best of the sport. The last challenge they had to face was States series, the most challenging meet of the high school season. Sunlake kids were excited, and their coach, Guerby Ruuska, was very proud of everyone for making it. “The energy was really good; everyone was cheering for each other, and honestly, I think Sunlake always brings the best energy to these meets.”

Huy Duong and Regan Bright, two of the captains of the Sunlake Swim and Dive team, performed in the best way possible, both individually and as captains of the team. This was also Huy’s last year of swimming, and he directed the swimming team by trying his best to leave a message for everyone younger, “This season I did not care much about winning personally; I cared more about being a good leader for everyone, taking accountability for some things. I was more worried about remembering this moment and inspiring the next generation of swimmers.” Regan, on the other side, still has another year, but that also helped her in a way to lead the swimming team her way, and she was happy for her experience as well, “I feel like swimming this year as a team was the best we have ever had. The team was the most involved, determined, and confident ever.”