Senior Night Swim Meet
The best way to get into shape is to join a sport. Sports are like having a large group of people work out together. This way you feel a obligation to go and are more likely to get exercise this way. For example, the Sweet Briar swimming team has practiced almost every day for 2 hours. By going to a Swim Meet (my first ever) I was able to see the hard days of practice and training in person. The lady vixens won the meet by winning a majority of first place finishes.
For my first real reporting event I managed to learn so much about the sport and what the girls went through to get as good as they are.
Vixen swimmers had their last home meet of the season against Bridgewater and rival
Hollins before they head off to the conference championship. In recognition of the
successful season, Jenn Milby and Claire Carson, seniors of the swimming team, were honored with flowers for their hard work and dedication to the team. Kennedy Monroe ’11 described the senior’s effect on the team as a “starting block for freshmen”.
To begin the meet, Melissa Simpson, Hayley Hill, Hannah Hesser, and Stephanie Perks won
the 40 M. medley relay, with a time of 4:54.77, as teammates cheered them on. Even Coach
Kuhn got in the action, striding the length of the pool as he windmilled his arms to
encourage his swimmers.
In the individual contests, Sweet Briar swimmers finished first and second in the next
three events.
Tori Marshall won the 200 SC M. Freestyle, stopping the clock at a 2:22.69, while Kelsey
Smith had a strong finish with only an eight second difference.
In the 500 SC Meter Freestyle Melissa Simpson won with a time of 29.34. Hayley Hill took
second at 31.10.
Stephanie Perks swam with determination in the 200 SC Meter IM, finishing first with an
impressive 2:43.04. Samantha Benito grabbed second place.
Other Vixen event winners were Allison Stansberry, who won the 200 SC Meter Butterfly,
and Jennifer Milby, the 100 SC Meter Freestyle winner. Claire Carson took third place in
the 100. Catie Gumpman claimed second place in the 400 SC Meter Freestyle. In the final
individual event, Hayley Hill outdistanced the competition, taking first in the 200 SC
Meter Breaststroke with a time of 3:00.23.
Saving the best for last, Vixen swimmers shaved nine seconds off the Sweet Briar record
for the 800 SC Meter Freestyle Relay on their way to an easy win, with a finish time of
9:20.54. The frenzied crowd cheered with hands held high as Melissa Simpson, Hannah
Hesser, Tori Marshall, and Stephanie Perks claimed a first place finish and bragging
rights to the pool record.
Danelle Hawk took home the coveted toy Hot Rod car. Coaches award the car each meet to
the swimmer with the best overall performance.
Coach Alex Kuhn did, as Jennifer Milby ‘08 commented, “a phenomenal job” coaching throughout the successful season. First year coach Alex Kuhn characterized the season as “a great experience”, and said the team's success this season “isn't the end, only the beginning”.
The Vixens have an overall record of 12-2 and are 5-2 in ODAC competition.
Sports such as swimming are a excellent way to get and stay in shape. For those without a interest in sports but still want a great way to get in shape don't fret, there are many options for you. Programs such as Weight Watches do wonders for many women and men or, if you prefer a flexible way of getting into shape just grab a friend and plan times to go to the gym or running outdoors. Overall the best way to get into shape is to do it is to pressure yourself and commit with a friend to a goal you both can follow and help each other along the way.
