Hopewell Athletics
Hopewell Varsity Swim Team Attends WPIALS- Student Comments and Slideshow
On February 27th and February 28th,
Hopewell Varsity Swim Team attended WPIALS held at Trees Hall on Pitt Campus. This was quite an experience for all swimmers who attended and gave the team one last opportunity to bond before the season ended.
Pre-Competition:
All of the swimmers have been tapering for WPIALS. This essentially means that the team was working on sprints and bringing times down rather than distance sets that focus less on time improvements and more on technique. During the team’s practices, head coach Kathi Lopez brings in her DJ lighting, and the team practices to the beat of flashing lights. All swimmers who attended these practices look forward to this experience every year and just adds to the special experience of making it so far into the season.
The Competition:
Each day of the competition was filled with amazing support from each other and an overall positive environment. The competition was tight, with everyone racing within milliseconds of each other. Everyone who had trained for WPIALS knew that this was their moment to shine and everyone had to put in 110%. The atmosphere also adds to that moment and the rush of thrill you get racing at such a momentous occasion. Lots of best times were posted at this meet, including individual swims and relays. Some individuals who improved their times were Charles Houston and Troy Palochak. Relays that Hopewell Swam include: Men’s 200 Free, Men’s 200 Medley, Women’s 200 Free, Women’s 200 Medley, and Women’s 400 Free, and most of those the team improved their time by seconds!
Coaches Comments:
Head coach, Kathi Lopez, was thrilled about WPIALS and said this about the event “Thursday was a spectacular day with both the boys’ relays and Charlie and Troy getting their best times in the 100 fly. Friday, we had the girls 400 free relay post their best time! I’m so proud of our WPIAL team and all of our swimmers this season. We improved each and every meet straight through WPIALs. You can’t ask for any better.”
Team Time:
After the competition, the first-night head coach Kathi Lopez and assistant coach Barb Marnhout host their normal WPIAL pizza dinner after the conclusion of the event, however, this time both coaches allowed the swimmers to dye their hair for the second day of the competition. On the second day of the competition, the team decided to do one last dinner together at Applebee’s for the final send-off of the season.
Writers Words:
As a swimmer, being able to experience such an event was amazing. Meeting new people and having the ability to see what a college swimming pool atmosphere would be like is a spectacular feeling. Seeing everyone bonding before the season ended, and although some moments were bittersweet,
it was an amazing experience to end on. Everyone I swam with this year had an impact on me and I am grateful for all of them. I also wanted to throw in a thank you to both of our coaches for how dedicated they are to our team!
