Splash!

The Lakeland Hawks swim team is getting ready to compete in the 4A Inland Empire League regional swim meet on Oct. 29. The Hawks have been practicing hard in preparation for the intense competition at this meet.

One thing that the Hawks have worked on this season is keeping the intensity up and practicing. They’re making sure that they are well conditioned and that they will be in the best shape that they can be in to compete at the highest level.

When asked who he thinks has the best chance of making it to the state swim meet, senior Bradley Grubham said, “The swimmers that have the best shot at making it to state are Logan Harris, Ethan Abbot, Ethan Harrel, Jeremiah Cooper, and Avery Sabatke. They are all looking good this year and have been competing at a high level.” 

The Hawks feel well prepared for the fight ahead, which is the district swim meet.

They feel like they have benefited from the brutal practices and that all their hard work is about to pay off.

Some of the boy’s team swimmers have broken school records this season. At the Hawk’s last meet, Ethan Abbott broke the school record in the men’s 100-meter Backstroke race. Abbot finished the race in 1:01.51.

Earlier this season, Ethan Harrel also broke a school record in the 100-meter Butterfly race. Harrel finished the race in 1:02.37 during the meet on Sept. 17. Breaking school records is not an easy fate, but with hard work and dedication, both boys got it done.

The Boy’s Varsity swim team is currently undefeated, and it looks promising as they begin to wrap up the season.

Grubham said, “One of my biggest challenges during this season was moving from the 200-meter individual medley to the 500-meter freestyle. It’s hard switching distances; It takes a lot more conditioning.”

Grubham and the Hawks recently competed in their previous swim meet on senior night with the other four seniors on the team.

After districts, the Hawks will be off to compete at the state swim meet.