The Spartans showed their strength during the first meet of the season against the Davenport North Wildcats with varsity winning 153-23 and junior varsity winning 115-6. Pleasant Valley has 11 state qualifiers returning this season, labeling them as a force to be reckoned with.

Although the head coach of the team hasn’t been consistent, the girls are continuing to dominate in the pool. Ali Staver, senior, says, “I think our future meets will go well because our team is very versatile and we are all one big family, so we know how to have fun while in the pool.” This one big family consists of seven divers and 36 swimmers.

The Spartans have gotten used to having a new face as their leader. Dave Kissack is the third coach in three years for the Spartans. Having a new coach so often isn’t ideal, but Mallory Obenauf, senior, said, “Coach Kissack has taken time to figure out what we’re all good at and push us to be the best that we can be.”

These dual meets are not the big picture for the swimmers. The state meet in Marshalltown is in the sights of the Spartans. Christy Bishop, sophomore, believes the state meet will go very well for the Spartans, saying, “I think our state team will be very strong this year. We are all very motivated to do our best, and with the support we all give each other we can accomplish great things.”

The swimmers weren’t the only ones dominating in the water. Diver Claire Park, senior, broke her own school record with a score of 310.37. Park says, “I’m so excited for the upcoming season, and breaking the record on the first meet was just the first steppingstone of my championship season. I’m very excited about future meets to come.” Park will be an athlete to watch this swim and dive season as she hopes to defend her state championship title.

On September 13th the girls will be competing against Burlington at home, so come and support the team to see their domination continue.