“Hi ho. Hi ho. It’s off to swim we go,” sang Jackson’s girls swim team before its final season meet against Mariner.
The Timberwolves pregame chant succeeded in pumping themselves up because the Wolfpack easily won their final meet of the season 111-55 over Mariner at Mill Creek Pool, even though a lot of the swimmers did not swim their normal events.
“I wanted them to have their mind on something else before the JV champs,” coach Drew Whorley said. “So many of them swam in different events.”
Even though some of the girls swam different events, and it was their last meet of the season, the Timberwolves still came to the pool ready to play hard.
“Jackson swam really well,” junior Megan Jones said. “We all went out there and did our best.”
Jackson wrapped up its season with an 8-2 overall record, with losses to Kamiak and Shorewood. The Timberwolves lost to Shorewood 93-90 due in part to a 12-point technicality.
Twelve points were taken from Jackson because it lacked a diving team.
Jackson’s fourth meet of the season against Kamiak was another tough loss, but the Wolfpack is confident it will conquer them in its next meet against each other in the postseason.
“This year was the closest we have ever come to beating them,” senior Shannon Kane said. “Given that the meet was so early in the season, I think we have a good chance of beating them at districts in their own pool.”
The 4A Sectional finals are set for 12:30 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 30) at Kamiak High School.
The Wolfpack feels that it has good chance to be a competitor in the postseason.
Senior Bridgette Hannifin would like to see the team compete hard and enjoy themselves.
“I hope all the girls do well and have fun,” Hannifin said. “Hopefully everyone will swim fast and get new personal records.”
No matter what the outcome of sectionals, the season was filled with fun, spirit and many wins for Jackson.
“This is one of the strongest teams Jackson has ever had,” senior Janelle Arenz said. “This year the team has been much more unified than previous years.”
Senior Emily Rogers agrees that the season was a success.
“This was an awesome season,” Rogers said. “The seniors have never been so close, organized and talented.”
The seniors were a major part of the team’s success this year. Fifteen seniors were a part of the Jackson swim team this year.
“Next year will definitely be a recovery year for the swim team because it is losing so many valuable people, but I think we have the potential to do just as well,” Kane said.
For now, next year’s plans are being put to the side because team is focusing on doing well in the postseason and having fun while they are at it.
“I hope for everyone to have a really good time and do well,” Whorley said.
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