Chandler High Swim and Dive team’s season is quickly coming to a close, but only after the season’s biggest event.
The AIA Swim & Dive State Championships are the season’s highlight for many of the competitive swimmers on the team. They work the entire season to drop times and improve their stroke for the year’s final meet. Coach Brenda Wilson, head girls coach, has established a new practice schedule this season to help the swimmers get the times they want. Although it may be challenging for the swimmers, the specialized sets have helped tremendously. The coaching team of five has created sets for specific days. Mondays have become freestyle and breath control days; Tuesdays focus on all strokes, while Wednesdays and Fridays are when swimmers enter breakout groups. These breakout groups help the swimmers get more one-on-one time with the coaches, practicing the stroke of their choice. From more challenging practices to specialty days, these changes have paid off. On the girl’s team, three relays and eleven individual members have qualified for state this 2024 season.
State is quickly approaching and that means the workouts will change again. “Starting on Halloween, the taper for State will begin,” said Coach Brenda. Taper is what swimmers do when preparing for state championships or other big events. Taper is when an athlete has modified practices that decrease the amount of training and increase their rest. According to teamunify.com, “A good taper should result in a 2-3% improvement in performance.” Chandler High’s swim team has traditionally done taper as they get ready to take on State, which has historically paid off in better performance at the championships.
Swimming is very competitive, especially in high school, due to the high number of schools with swim teams. Chandler High’s swim team is a no-cut sport and prides itself on having a team that treats each other as family. They have team bonding events, a team car wash, and always have some friendly competition.
