By Sophia Hughes, web editor

Balancing school and their athletic commitment, the Maria Carrillo High School swim team has been winning all of their meets in an effort to keep their North Bay League title. Carrillo’s swim team kicked off the beginning of the season on a high note winning, besting their first few opponentsCardinal Newman, Santa Rosa, and Ukiah High.

At the beginning of the season, there was a scramble to find a good coach for the team, but they finally found Christine Lewis. She took on the leadership of the groupwith the main goal being to “work hard and have fun.”

A normal day at swim practice consists of warming up by doing some 400 or 500 yards sprints and some drills. Then a workout that can include everything from sprints, distance, IM sets, which is a set that includes all of the different types of strokes, and peer coaching. Peer coaching is when a student who is particularly good at a specific action pertaining to the sport, like flip turns, teaches a group of swimmers who need to work on that skill.

Lewis commented that the team had “a really good meet” against Cardinal Newman on March 17. She loved how her new team gets excited about the meets and tries their best. Lewis hopes to continue to “build an experience for students that will last a lifetime,” something that is “less like a box to check off” in high school and more like a community who is building an exciting and fun experience together.

One of the team captains, junior Alli Krilich, aims to win NBLs again this year, which senior and co-captain Allie Eso agrees with. The North Bay High School Athletic League consists of Analy, Cardinal Newman, Elsie Allen, Healdsburg, Maria Carrillo, Montgomery, Piner, and Rancho Cotate High School who all compete for the title of NBL champion.

Junior Jessica Pham commented that although the sets are hard, she enjoys being on the swim team. Pham also commiserates with many other athletes on how “it’s very difficult balancing swim practice and homework load.” While the most recent meet against Newman was stressful, she's glad she went. She recommends the swim team to anyone considering it as it is a great way to meet new people, stay in shape, and have fun. Krilich hopes to spread more awareness about the team stating, “We’re the reigning champions.” She wishes there were more swim coverage in Carrillo media because “some don’t even know the swim team exists.”

With their upcoming meets against Monty, Ukiah, Santa Rosa, and Newman, and their finals on April 28 and 29, the swim team hopes to earn the NBL title for the second year in a row.