Pleasant Valley girls swim and dive has been known to be a top swim program in the state, and they did not disappoint on Oct. 29 when they won their regional meet with 458 points.
For those of you who are not avid swimming fans, the regional meet is the only meet the girls can qualify for state, making it the second biggest meet of the season.
The girls kicked off the meet phenomenally, winning the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:48.25. They only won two other events; one was Aviana Zahara, junior, in the 100 back with a time of 56.80–a new school record–and the other was Claire Park, senior, in diving.
This year’s state team is smaller than years past with only six girls swimming on relays, individuals, or both. The team consists of Emily Goodman, junior; Lauren Nelson, junior; Aviana Zahara, junior; Perapa Chotiprasidhi, junior; Lauren Groenenboom, sophomore; and Jordan Neymeyer, freshman.
This will be Goodman’s third time going to the state meet, and she is very excited to be going back. Goodman says, “I am very excited to be able to contribute to this team. The meet is a fun atmosphere, and it will be an exciting day as an athlete.” Goodman will be swimming the 200 medley relay, 500 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, and the 400 freestyle relay.
Another swimmer to watch this state meet is Aviana Zahara. Zahara is new to the team this year, but is going into the state meet ranked second in the 100 backstroke. Zahara is feeling very motivated for the state meet coming up, especially since she lowered the school record, which was previously set by her earlier this season, by over a second.
The record came as a surprise to Zahara, saying, “Going into the meet I knew I wanted to lower the record, but it was going to be hard considering when I set it the first time, I was already going the fastest I’ve ever swam.”
In regards to the state meet, Zahara adds, “I am really motivated going into next weekend because breaking the record proved to me I can do better than what I think I can.”
The state meet will take place in Marshalltown, Iowa on Nov. 5. Good luck, Spartans!
