The Atoms boys and girls swim teams suffered defeat in their final meet of the regular season on Friday, Jan. 21.
Both teams lost close battles against Edison, with the boys losing by a score of 140-169 and the girls losing by a score of 130.5-174.5.
While the meet resulted in disappointment for the Atoms, there was so much progress made throughout the season and on Friday for the Atoms to build off of in the future.
“We had some really great races on both the boys and girls teams, and our divers did an amazing job and both placed,” head coach Carmen Lucas said. “In the end, quantity beat quality.”
The girls will finish with a record just below .500 at 3-4, and the boys will finish with a 4-3 record for the 2021-22 season.
Both teams made significant improvements from the 2020-21 season, with better relay times and more winning Friday nights.
“This season had its ups and downs for sure,” Lucas said. “Our returning sophomores have adjusted to their first full season, while the juniors and seniors have been readjusting to what a normal length season feels like through winter break and the snow days.”
AHS had trouble filling all lanes this season, and were unable to establish themselves in the new district due to a lack of swimmers.
Several swimmers set themselves apart this season. Sophomore Colin McGee continued to dominate in the breaststroke event, with a 1:01.43 100 yd breaststroke, and junior Emma Findler continued to improve and impress in the 200 yd and 500 yd freestyle events.
“I was super excited to swim with a new batch of talented freshmen that have continually pushed our team forward, McGee said. “Going into districts, my goal is to place well in a new district with even faster teams and a higher level of competition.”
For the girls team, upperclassmen Olivia Cruz, Maya Mann, and Ashley Holcomb have all played a huge role for the team.
All three primarily swim different strokes and have been big contributors to the teams improvement in 2021-22.
Junior Olivia Cruz has made significant strides in her backstroke event, dropping over five seconds off of her 100 yd backstroke time throughout the course of the season, and playing an essential role in the girls medley relay success.
Junior Maya Mann has dropped her 100 yd butterfly time down to a 108.54, a time that should qualify her for the regional tournament.
“Obviously I expect growth from myself and I am very happy with how the season has gone for me individually and for us as a collective group as well,” Mann said. “I have nothing yet to celebrate, I need to continue to work hard and earn my chance to compete at districts and at the regional level.
All swimmers in the district automatically advance to districts this season, giving the entire team another opportunity to drop time and place in the district.
AHS dive will also have multiple divers with an opportunity to earn their spot at regionals this weekend, despite their best diver Nathan Tran being out for the season due to injury.
Tran had already achieved a score that clinched a place in the regional tournament earlier in the season, however, due to a back fracture, he will be unable to compete in the tournament. The Atoms will lean on junior Tommy Nugen and sophomore Morgan Milman to place well at districts for a chance at regionals.
The pre-elimination round will be held Friday, Jan. 28 from 5:30-9:30 p.m., and the district finals are Saturday, Jan. 29 from 5:30-8 p.m.
The entire tournament will be live streamed and the results will be made available on the National District Swim & Dive Instagram account @nationaldistrictswimanddive at the conclusion of the event.
Swimmers that finish in the top six of their event in the district will qualify for regionals and automatically advance to the tournament at Oak Marr recreation center in two weeks.