The swimming and diving team tests the waters

BY KYLEIGH SPRIGLE

The swimming and diving team had an unusual meet at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) on September 26. The team competed against Somerset Academy and NSU University School. The meet was different for the Cowboys because the two opposing teams are not in the same division as CCHS. The boys’ team won more events and got more points, beating Somerset and NSU. The girls’ team won against Somerset, but NSU won overall.

Points are earned based on how many events the swimmers win for each school. Some of the events are won or lost by only a couple of milliseconds. The boys’ team beat Somerset by 105 points and NSU by 4 points. The girls beat Somerset by 62 points and lost to NSU by 16 points.

The boys’ team won five out of the eleven events they participated in. Michael Cline won the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke. Robert Wilson won the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard freestyle. Javier Roman won the 200-yard individual medley. 

“It was nice to see everyone cheering for everyone swimming,” senior captain Mark Zhang said. “Close to the end of the meet we had a look at the score and we were almost tied up. So at that point, everyone was cheering as hard as they could.” 

“I think it showed us that we need to work harder and what other type of competition there is out there.”

There was a total of 11 swimming events for the girls. The Lady Cowboys won five events and NSU won everything else. Mallory Schleicher won the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle. Kate Kaplan won the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. The 200-yard freestyle relay was won by JennaMarie Brames, Imriel Coughlin, Nora Mirabal and LeeAnn Ranalli.

“This is a team we’ve never gone against before,” senior captain Nora Mirabal said. “I think it showed us that we need to work harder and what other type of competition there is out there.”

The diving team has expanded from past years. Tyler Flowers, the only diver last year, got first place in the boys’ event at the meet. The two new divers, Cara Barkey and Brianna Grave, did not get first but were towards the top. Barkey placed second and Grave fourth in their events.

“I like having more divers,” junior Tyler Flowers said. “It makes meets more enjoyable as I am not the only person competing during our event.”

The Cowboys know NSU University School for being a strong team. Facing difficult competition gets the team ready for districts, regionals and states. Cypress Bay is one of the most competitive teams the Cowboys will face later in the season.

Photo by Anabella Garcia