Sophomore diver Jackson Monus and freshman swimmer Katie Drummond are state champions, and the girls swim team finished third in the State Championship Feb. 17-21.
Monus won his second consecutive state championship in
his one meter dive event. Drummond won first place in her 50 yard freestyle event at states while also finishing fifth in the 100 yard freestyle.
The 200 yard medley relay team of freshman Sophie Dankof, freshman Vivi Hoy, senior Millie Evans and junior Charlotte Holzhall finished third at states. A third-place win also went to the 400 yard freestyle relay team of Drummond, Holzhall, junior Hadley Langolf and senior Owynn LaFollette.
Evans finished sixth in the 100 yard butterfly and Dankof finished seventh in the 100 yard breaststroke. LaFollette earned seventh in the 100 and 200 meter freestyle events.
Monus said his experience winning states was surreal, and the feeling of the second consecutive win was unbeatable.
Monus said his prep for states consisted of a lot of practice and sauna usage, which kept his muscles warm and ready.
“I caught the flu right before states, but even though I felt a bit off, I wanted to compete the best I could,” he said.
Drummond said she had many challenges throughout the season, but a large part of it was keeping herself in the right mental state for her to perform at the highest level.
“Sometimes I would fall out of focus, but I would just have to remind myself to keep pushing so I could do my best at states,” she explained.
Drummond added even though states was loud and crowded, the meet was a positive environment.
“The preparation to get there was hard, but I’m glad to be a part of the journey with my team, and I’m so proud of how we did as a whole,” she explained.
Evans said she was overjoyed with the outcome of her season after not being sure that she would be able to compete at all this year. She couldn’t walk six months ago due to an ACL tear, she added.
“My hard work got rewarded when I got cleared to compete on Feb. 10 and then I placed sixth in my individual event on the 21st,” Evans explained.
LaFollette said she put a lot of energy into the preliminary competitions.
“My mindset for the prelims was I had to let it all out and swim as fast as I can and just hope I can make it to finals,” she explained.
LaFollette explained in order to get ready, she swam six days a week and lifted weights.
“I’m constantly getting my body into shape by eating right and training full time,” LaFollette said.
Langolf said the team had a lot of bonding leading up to states, including dinners, hair dying and temporary tattoos to unify the team for the event.
“It was a lot of fun for the team and really helped us become closer and more supportive of each other,” she explained.
Monus said he was nervous before, but his team made it less intimidating for him and really calmed him down. Unlike the swim meets, the room was very quiet, but his team was there to support him, he explained.
Evans said she felt it was important to have fun and be consistent.
“Your attitude and effort are the things that you have the most control over that affect your performance,” Evans said.
