The swimming team is a prestigious program at MHS and hopes to continue the tradition of doing well at districts and going to state. The season is full of goals and desires that will take a good work ethic to fulfill.

Senior Thomas Carey is looking to get a couple specific times under 15 in the 100im. Carey is co-captain and feels that he has responsibility to set an example. Jonathan Tillery tries to be a good role model as well. Tillery hopes to come back from a shoulder injury and do well this season. "Coach says I have a lot of potential," said Tillery, who hopes to go to state.

Their teammates help to push both Tillery and Carey. "We all push each other, the work ethic is fantastic, and teammates will punish you if you don't work," said Carey.

"I try to keep up with the guys next to me," said Tillery.

Their team goals are set high. "As a team we won districts last year, so we have a lot to live up to," said Carey. Practicing an hour after practice every day for club helps them to be king of the pacific conference again.

While Katherine Sampson hopes to make it to the state finals again, she also wants to improve along the way. As a leader, Kathryn Sampson does her best to push the other girls without being too harsh.

The girls should do well because they have many of the girls last year coming back, including seven seniors, two of which are team captains. "This year the girls are strong," said Kathryn Sampson.

Although the girls have a lot of returning seniors, senior Lisha Smith has left the team and is now part of the McMinnville Swimming Club. Even though Smith is one of the better swimmers, Jason Hafner (who has been the swim coach at MHS for 10 years) said that they have too much depth, so it should not affect the team.

Hafner is seeing depth in the boys as well as the girls and because of this, everyone is flexible with what race they swim. "This year we can move the kids a little bit more," said Hafner.

Diana Sampson wants to improve her times on the MHS team, and in club, she is striving to make the cut in the Junior National 200im. "My higher competition has graduated and I have gained more confidence," said Diana Sampson.

Hafner has high expectations to match the swimmers big goals. "Both the boys and girls are going to try to win districts," said Hafner. A goal he has is to qualify some swimmers to state and get some into the top 15. "It's going to be tough, we have one of the strongest swimming leagues in the state," said Hafner.

Dec. 4 was MHS's first swim meet of the season at Aloha. The boys' team won easily120-35 and the girls' team grabbed a 89-81 victory.

"Being able to swim that fast was pleasing," said Carey. The young swimmers helped bring the victory home for the boys. "A lot of new people had a good attitude and the results were very good," said Carey.

The swim team looks to continue to improve during the season and do well during districts.