As the new season approaches the Girls Wayne Valley Swim team is adjusting to new changes and doing their best to prepare for the upcoming competition. This year the team is coming back better than ever with new athletic training. By taking new regimens and preseason activities, the swim team is already looking more improved with an advanced mindset. With new schedules and environmental changes, the team will have to alter their old habits. No matter the circumstances, the new team captains and coach Monica Voinov will strengthen this team.
Recently, the YMCA was bought by the town. This acquisition brought many changes to the swim team’s practice schedules. Voinov shares, “ Swimmers can now benefit from longer practice times, allowing for additional training sessions that will allow for us to practice stroke technique, as well as starts and turns which are essential for continued development.” Swim practice time has been changed for the better. Swimmers will get an extra 25 minutes of practice, and swimmers will no longer have to worry about rushing to practice. Voinov and the captains are confident the changes will be useful.
The team has been taking new approaches during the preseason to start the season off strong. The captains have run dryland practices. Extra running and workouts have also been added, being led by Coach Glander. Glander and the captains have been aiming to get stronger with exercise specifically matching the sports difficulty. Senior captains Avery Derstine, Urvi Sinha, and Lauren Toole are self-assured that the extra workouts are making a difference in the swimmer’s performance. They have also been participating in said exercises and are feeling “more energized and prepared.”
Voinov agreed that growth is the main goal for the season, “The main goals for this season are to continue building the team and allowing for as much individual growth as possible.” Voinov mentions that seeing her girls improve as the season progresses has always been a proud moment for her. “Our girls make tremendous growth throughout the season, as well as from year to year! Watching their skills and times improve is something that brings me much joy as a coach” Voinov noted. Voinov is expecting the same motivation and determination as the past years and mentions how mentality plays a huge role in the sport.
Voinov states, “There will be good days and days where the times just don’t match the effort that has been put in. As a coach, I focus on the big picture for the girls, helping them to remember the importance of what they are doing and why they are doing it.” Voinov has always reassured her swimmers to not be too hard on themselves, and just think of how they have improved.
Team bonding and communication have always played a huge role in the sport. Voinov strongly believes communication is key when it comes to keeping the swimmers motivated. Communicating with the swimmers about their progress and discussing time drops is important in keeping them motivated “We have a fabulous group of girls who understand our team goals. They motivate each other, and it’s inspiring to see their times improve throughout the season, which encourages continued dedication and determination” Voinov shared.
All team captains have agreed that for their senior year, the main goal is to have fun. “I just want to make the most of it and go all out” Toole discussed. They are looking forward to dropping times, getting stronger, and hanging out with the team. Voinov and the captains work hard to schedule team bonding events to strengthen the team’s relationship. Pasta parties, post-practice hangouts and simply cheering each other on can make all the difference. The Wayne Valley girls’ swim team has been preparing for a challenging season, and their efforts are already making a difference in their performance
