Cypress High School’s boys’ and girls’ swim teams are diving into a new season facing new unique challenges. With a smaller roster than in previous years, the team anticipates a tougher road to victory in meets. However, the team’s spirit remains high, focusing on individual growth and team camaraderie.
The reduced team size, a result of many graduating seniors last year, means fewer entries in team competitions. This puts the team at a disadvantage compared to previous years. Since swim meets run on a point system, if there are not enough swimmers there is no way to get enough points to win. Despite this hurdle, both the boys and girls teams are optimistic about their chances in CIF. They acknowledge the need to work harder in order to achieve their goals this season.
“We won’t do well in meets this year because we don’t have enough swimmers,” said Coach Garrett Potter, “but I have high hopes for CIF.” This sentiment reflects a realistic assessment of the challenges ahead while maintaining confidence in his swimmers and the team’s ability to perform well in these important competitions.
This year, the training regimen emphasizes technique refinement before focusing on endurance. This strategic approach aims to build a strong foundation for every swimmer, maximizing their individual potential. This focus on individual improvement is expected to pay off in the long run, regardless of overall team performance in meets.
Despite the smaller team size, the athletes are committed to supporting each other and fostering a strong team dynamic. “All of us are trying to work our hardest, especially encouraging each other to be the best that we can be,” shared sophomore, Sophia Novak, varsity girls prospect. Teamwork as a way to help each other improve. This emphasis on team unity is vital for navigating the challenges of the season.
The team’s first meet against Villa Park on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 served as an early test. Senior, varsity girls captain Julien Templanza acknowledged the challenges, stating, “We’re basically starting from scratch,” but expressed hope for good results. Freshman, Joshua Park, varsity boys prospect, voiced more optimistic sentiments, saying, “I think we’ll do well.” Junior, varsity boys captain, Jake Governo provided a realistic outlook on the season. “Swim is a really independent sport, so I know we won’t win a lot of meets, but we’ll mostly focus on our individual events,” he explained.
The swim team may face challenges with their lack of people in a hard league, but still have hope for CIF, and are focused on improving as individuals and as a team.
