Sussex Academy girls’ swimming looks for a title
Usually when a team goes 11-1, they are thought to have had a great season, but the Sussex Academy girls’ swim team doesn’t want to just settle for winning the Henlopen South. They’ve done that four straight years.
The team is going from a 12-meet schedule to a pandemic-shortened seven-meet calendar and hopes to take the podium at the Henlopen Conference meet.
“We’re trying to have as normal a season as we can,” said head coach Tom Martiner. “We have more talent than ever before. Each event will have three competitors who can challenge most teams’ top entry.”
“It feels really good to be out here,” said senior Tess Mariner. “Especially since we didn’t think we were going to have a season. Just the chance to race is exciting. We didn’t have many seniors last year, so I think we’ll be really strong with the returning swimmers. We’re ready to win.”
Some swimmers prepared to challenge for the Henlopen Conference crown are Mariner, Sydney and Eve Mundok, Elle McKay, Sanne Elling and Gracie Maughan.
“I think this year is going to go really good for us,” said senior Sydney Mundok. “We have some really good freshmen coming up, and I know a lot of us have definitely improved from last year. I feel extremely lucky. We have such a nice facility, and it’s so nice just to have something normal, something routine we can go into every day. It’s nice to have closure for our senior year. We are practicing with a purpose now rather than just practicing.”
“Wearing a mask was difficult at first,” said senior Emily Trout. “After the first couple of weeks, it was something you just had to adjust to like everything else. It’s a change, but with the adjustments we’re making, it allows us to have a swim season. Everyone wants a senior year.”
The Lady Seahawks will welcome Milford Tuesday, Jan. 19, to open the 2021 season.
