Boys' Swimming Spotlight

By: Isabelle Hemstad

FHS Boys’ Swim Team
   There are a lot of unknowns for sports teams right now.  Athletes, coaches, parents, etc, are asking things like: Will we even get a season?  Will people be allowed to watch?  And many other questions that we’ve never had to ask before.  I decided to interview the Bronco Boys’ Swim Team coach and captains, to see what they were thinking about the upcoming season and the sport in general.
Interview with Steve Joslyn (head coach)

1. What are you most excited about for the upcoming season?
   Having One!  Seriously though,  being cooped up for several months in our social distancing, I think every swimmer will be really motivated and have a ton of energy to pour into their efforts.  We have several swimmers that are going to be on the edge of setting records and I'm so anxious to see what they can accomplish this season. 
2. What do you think will be the hardest part of the season? (not related to Covid-19) The hardest part may be the schedule.  Due to the shortened season, it puts us still competing during our end of season taper, a time we should be resting more and not exerting full race pace.
3. How has Covid-19 affected the season already? First thought is not being able to use the pool for pre-season conditioning.  We have tried to adapt a bit by changing our use of the school VOLT program to use body weight only exercises so swimmers can condition at home without using any equipment.
4. How will it continue to?  For the immediate pending season, I have reconsidered our time on deck during warm up and stretching.  We will be doing much less of it, more spread out and higher intensity so we can get into the pool as quickly as possible. We are still in the process of requesting the use of both locker rooms and of course, constantly monitoring the safe practices we have all been doing for months on end now.
5. About how many people are on the team as of now? We have a small team, approximately 15-18 swimmers and currently only 1 diver.  With such a small number of athletes, we cannot really compete with other schools for wins/losses unless we have about 20 well rounded swimmers to help fill the usual 3 participants in each of the 12 events.  Even with Covid restrictions, we could easily handle a team twice the size of our current numbers.
6. Are you hopeful of having at least a limited number of spectators at some point in the season? Spectators have usually been limited to family members anyways so I think the limiting of spectators for our activity won't affect us much.  If none are allowed at all, we will look at getting each of the home competitions video recorded so that everyone can see the swimmers progress and accomplishments.
7. How are you going to try to help prevent the spread of the virus on your team?  In researching how to be as proactive as possible, I found the CDC's stance and began to question our legislature on why we were being shut down.  I got a response from our local Representative, Rob Ecklund, and he had passed the question up the chain as well. The pool with its proper chlorination is like swimming in a very effective disinfectant for two plus hours.  The CDC has stated the pool actually makes viruses in effect, dormant and poses an extremely low risk.  It is the entry and gathering in the facility that raises the concern. The official response was again, not the pool setting but "Similar to the decisions to close gyms and entertainment venues, the risks we anticipate for pools are driven more by the time people spend outside the water" so we will focus primarily on that concern. Being diligent with face coverings entering and leaving the facility is key, limiting the number of athletes in the locker rooms for changing and showering as well.  After several months of practicing the good habits and distancing, I think we will be more than ready to adhere to the small changes in the pool area and I am looking forward to a very successful season for each person involved with the program.
   

Interview with Captains: 

       Jake Slatinski

Main event: 
500 Freestyle.
Do you think meets will be better or worse without spectators? 
Better. 
What are you looking forward to most about this season? 
Seeing how I improve.
Why did you join the swim team in the first place?  
I needed a winter sport.
What is your favorite part of being on the team? 
The comradery.

---

            Gavin Wilson

Main event:
200 Freestyle
Do you think meets will be better or worse without spectators?  
Worse.
What are you looking forward to most about this season? 
Improving myself.
Why did you join the swim team in the first place?  
Jake told me to.
What is your favorite part of being on the team?  
Hanging out with the team.

Will Serrano

Main event:
200 IM
Do you think meets will be better or worse without spectators?  
Worse.
What are you looking forward to most about this season?  
Trying to beat records.
Why did you join the swim team in the first place?  
My brother was on the team.
What is your favorite part of being on the team?  
Being part of a team.