Winning their first five dual meets before close losses to St. Louis Park and Chisago Lakes, the boys’ swim team just finished sections and hopes to use these losses as inspiration to prove their potential at the State meet.
Through excellent individual swims as well as team dynamics, the team has had much success in their dual-meet season. “We did really well, we were undefeated in our dual-meet season before our last two meets and ended up 2nd or 3rd in the Conference,” said senior Jack McGinn.
The team has also won larger tournaments such as the Maroon and Gold meet at the University of Minnesota. “This was our first year being invited to the meet, and the boys performed very well,” said assistant coach Mr. Groebner. “We won our small-schools division and beat many good schools such as Chisago Lakes and Alexandria.”
Although team members swim all events, the team’s strength lies in freestyle and sprint events. “We have many guys who don’t swim in the off-season but who are very athletic, so they train hard and are able to swim very well in the sprint freestyle events,” said senior Jack McGinn. “That often helps us in dual-meets because those meets are geared towards freestyle; freestyle is a component in almost every event.”
While this year’s graduating class has found success, numerous underclassmen will help the team do well in future years. “Our seniors definitely help us do very well, but with training next year, younger team members will also help us continue as a successful team,” said Mr. Groebner.
At sections, many team members qualified to the state meet by either placing first or second in their respective event or swimming under a certain time in the Section finals. Seniors Jack McGinn, Scott Quinby, Parker Johnson, Junior Alex Roe and Freshman Jack Swanson will represent BSM in the State meet on Friday March 2.
Outside of the pool, the boys find fun in unexpected places. “We’ve played boot hockey, have pasta dinners before meets, and just hang out when we aren’t swimming,” said McGinn.
Although it may not be the most typical sport, the boys find passion in swimming because of its individual qualities and constant work ethic. “I really like the feeling that swimming gives me when I exercise,” said McGinn. “Everything in my life just comes together when I swim.”
