The Athens Drive swim team is halfway through its season. With two meets and multiple wins under their belt, the rest of the season is sure to be plentiful. In 2024, many swimmers made it to regionals, and a few even to the state championship. One swimmer, Maris Miller, qualified for the 200 medley relay last year.

“As for our relays, I think they truly help us develop a good bond amongst the whole team. Winning is a great feeling, I mean, when our relay wins or any of us win individually it lights up the whole team and really creates a great competitive atmosphere,” said Miller. 

State champions or not, all Athens swimmers put forward their best effort in and outside of the pool. Each swimmer has a different goal that drives them, a different encouragement. Whether it is teachers, parents, or simply their ambition, something makes them go just a little faster in the water. 

“From what I have seen this year, I think the push to get better each time drives the team. I love seeing the competitiveness to be better than you did the previous time. With swimming being mainly an individual sport, watching my team improve each and every day drives the team to be better,” said Morgan Thomas, one of the Athens swim coaches.

This year was the first year at Athens Drive for both coaches of the team, and there was a transition period to adjust between the different coaching styles of the two head coaches. It has not stopped the grit and determination of the swimmers, most of whom swim year-round at clubs such as TAC (Triangle Aquatic Center), New Wave Swim Team, or RSA (Raleigh Swimming Association).

“A lot of our swimmers train with their year-round [club] and do not practice with us,” said Thomas, “For our swimmers that are practicing with Athens, we normally have a quick dry-land and swim the majority of the time. Each practice is different, with a different focus to train to be a well-balanced swimmer!”

One of Athens’ swimmers has recently taken one of the biggest steps that high school athletes can take, signing up to swim for a college. Jackson Scheiber, a senior at Athens, has recently committed to the University of Minnesota, a Division One program. 

“The signing process itself is a little stressful, but overall it feels super rewarding and validating of the work I’ve put in over years,” said Scheiber, “I couldn’t be more excited to keep swimming at the next level. The whole signing and recruiting process is long and tiring but very worth it. It’s a lot of phone calls, emails, and trips. Go Gophers!”

The Athens swim team is extremely welcoming and open to all who want to join, the try-out process requires all swimmers to be able to swim 50 meters freestyle in 30 to 35 seconds, depending on the sex of the swimmer. This year, the swim team has around 45 swimmers, and each one is an important part of not just the swim program, but of the entire Athens Drive Athletics.

“It’s a good sport with great coaches. The captains and team members are all welcoming. It was a great team to join as a freshman and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in swimming,” said Liam McElhannon, junior.