On Sat. Feb. 7, Oswego boys co-op swim and dive hosted the conference at OE. After a series of very fortunate events, the boys secured an amazing Conference win at their home pool.
“It’s like a confidence booster for everybody because we knew we were going to win,” said OH senior Ethan Schrader, “but the way we did helped the sectional team moving forward.”
As a team sport, everyone has individual roles and goals for themselves; however, a positive team atmosphere and culture make a huge difference in the mental and physical performance of athletes.
“It really set the tone for sectionals, it was a varsity sweep,” said OH junior Jaxon Rapper.
Rapper, as the only diver on the team, holds a cool role in securing wins at meets. High school swimming is a team sport to finish with wins all around.
“Swimming is a team of individual events,” Coach Ryan Pentzien explained.
Moving on after Conference and now onto Sectionals, the team has a lot to look forward to.
This Sat., Feb. 21, the boys co-op swim and dive team will travel to Metea Valley High School to compete at Sectionals, to then secure a spot at state.
“Me winning conference made me so much more confident going into Sectionals because I know who I am up against, and I know what I need to score,” said Rapper.
Captains and upperclassmen played a crucial role in securing the win in conference and for the upcoming sectionals meet. They lead the team in a positive direction.
“They helped motivate everybody, helped get ready and prepared for the meet,” said OH junior Owen Lippoldt.
The Sectionals meet is the most important meet in the season. When they win, the boys will get a chance to compete at the IHSA State Finals. The ’25-26 IHSA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals are scheduled for Fri., Feb. 27, and Sat., Feb. 28.
The accomplishment of the state is an accomplishment in itself, and many athletes spend the whole season preparing for sectionals, hoping to get the opportunity to compete at the state level.
“This is our opportunity to get to state, that means winning events, that also means for the swimmers [and divers] getting the times and [scores] to secure that,” said Pentzien.
Te co-op Oswego boys swim and dive are looking forward to a successful sectionals to then get the opportunity to State.
Hello! My name is Madi Young! I am sports editor here at 42fifty! You can contact me by emailing 42fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
Hi! My name is Ainslee Gerardot and I'm a junior at Oswego High School. This is my first year of the 42Fifty staff, and I am proud to serve as Social Media Editor. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
