The WHHS swim team has been working hard to get back into shape in hopes of returning to states again this year. The team had a monumental season last year with historic finishes such as the girls’ team winning their first conference championship title in school history.

The team’s big win in the 2021-2022 season came after a difficult year filled with social distancing and mask protocols that made it harder to come together. Luckily, the WHHS swim team was able to provide students with a source of much-needed social interaction with their peers through a time of isolation and quarantine.

“The team really tried their best to be a big community during COVID-19. Practices were a good outlet for many of us,” SENIOR Tess Fightmaster said. Fightmaster is one of six swim team captains on the WHHS swim team.

Since COVID-19, the team has been trying very hard to restore the bond that they once had.

“It’s our fourth year, but we still have seen it as a year of rebuilding because of COVID-19. The COVID-19 years kind of ripped a lot away from all groups and athletics at WHHS,” swim Coach Tammy Smith said.

The SENIORS, especially, have been working hard to bring the team back to what it once was.

“I feel like this year, the SENIORS have done an amazing job of bringing back what they experienced their freshman year, and showing that to the underclassmen to get them excited about the years to come,” Smith said.

In order to honor the SENIORS, on Jan. 7, the WHHS swim team had their SENIOR night. After the swim meet, the team hosted a family dinner in which parents of SENIORS were asked to “roast and toast” their child.

“It’s something all the SENIORS look forward to because it’s not very often that you get a moment where your parents sit there and tell you how proud they are of you to your face,” said Smith.

With states just around the corner, the swim team has been working diligently to reclaim their title as the girls Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) winners, and hopefully win some new titles on the way.

“This year we are trying to win both boys and girls ECC titles,” Smith said. “We also would like to see four if not six relays at state.”

As the season continues, the WHHS swim team continues to grow in skills and in closeness.

“[In swim team] I get to see a collective group of WHHS kids from all different backgrounds and all different interests, and I can say WHHS kids are pretty top-notch,” Smith said.