As the Eaton High School swim team nears the end of its season, the excitement is building for their final home meet: senior night. For the seniors on the team, this event marks not just the end of their high school swim careers, but a celebration of years of dedication and growth in the sport. Dharma Perkins (25) said, “This is going to be a little bit more sad for us because we’ve been part of the team for so long.”
While Senior Night brings bittersweet emotions for the swim team, it also serves as a pivotal moment as they prepare their final push toward the state championships. Cornella Brown (25) said, “I’ve gone through all four seasons with our seniors, so it’s really cool watching them make it to state.”
The team’s recent performance at the Wiedeman Invitational on Sat., Dec. 11 located at the Greeley Rec Center, showcased the kind of competition they’ll face heading into the final stretch of the season. The Wiedeman Invite, in which the Reds competed alongside several other schools, was challenging but pushed them to perform at their highest level. Despite being a 3A team competing against several 5A schools, the swim team held their own and gained valuable experience to help them improve for the final meets.
Looking ahead, the swim team is focused on finishing their season strong and making their mark at state with several goals they hope to accomplish. Perkins said, “I hope to be the fastest, like top 20, for each of my events.” As of now, the swimmers that have qualified for state are Dharma Perkins, Sophie Morgan and Arabella Fitch. State is set to take place at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton on Feb. 10 and Feb. 11. While the competition will be tough, the team is determined to end on a high note.
The seniors are determined to leave a lasting legacy, not just through their performances but through the spirit and camaraderie of the sport. As they compete in their final meets of the season, they will make long-lasting memories that will stay with them long after they leave the pool.