The swim team is spilling over with members this year. There are 40 swimmers on the team, including the three captains for the boy’s team and three captains for the girl’s team. The boy’s team captains are Jacen Fletter (senior), Gavin Wehr, and Gavin Wisner (both juniors). The girl’s team captains are Ayana Acevedo, Chloe Nelson, and Anna Rufh (all juniors). There are also two team managers: freshman Aubrey Brooks and junior Ezyah Clarke. The team is led by Coaches Drema Biron, Catherine Bond, Beaurelle Ferguson, and Kelly Fletter.
“Swimming is an individual sport where you compete against your own best times,” said Coach Biron. “However, the support of a team makes all the difference, and our Salem team really encourages and displays team spirit.”
Co-Captain junior Gavin Wisner, also known as “Disney”, found the swim team to be a welcome place for new members.
“When I first started freshman year, it was a new school, I just moved to a new state, and I joined a club team,” said Wisner. “It was really fun and I started getting better and better, so I was like, ‘Oh, swim team sounds like fun.’ I got in and it was like BOOM— I was just a part of the group; it just felt home, welcoming.”
Swimming is more than just a sport. It can be therapeutic and peaceful.
“Swimming is like my outlet for most thingst makes you feel better, to zone out and feel the water and the movement, it becomes more natural,” said Wisner.
Being a part of a team is an opportunity and a privilege. According to team members, they really are a family.
“The students are what makes coaching fun! They are so supportive of one another and genuinely want everyone to succeed,” said Coach Bond.
