As the season begins, the West girls’ swim team is powered by two seniors, fighting for one goal: bringing home a championship and leaving their mark on the program for a fifth time. For Grace Berendzen and Jayla Allen, this final season carries both excitement and responsibility.

With a team that has seen major roster changes and several strong swimmers, their leadership in and out of the water matters more than ever. Berendzen knows what her fans and supporters can expect this year: hard work and some fun, while Allen knows that in order to give the fans the results they want, it takes dedication.

“Hard work and teamwork and coming together to have fun,”  Berendzen said. “We practice every day, work really hard – different skills for different people on the team, it’s a good and great team.”

Swimming outside of school, making sure my diet is healthy and balanced, and getting enough sleep and staying hydrated,”  Allen said

With hard work comes pressure, and each girl feels it, but for seniors, it can feel more intense. It is their last year, the year they get to make their final mark on the program, but both seniors handle the pressure with grace.

“ Oh boy, leave it out on the water before I leave, don’t let the teammate down,” Berendzen said. “ Have fun, show up, and put in the work, who cares if we win or lose?”

There isn’t much pressure for me – I’m more focused on having fun with my teammates,” Allen said. “Have a video of yourself so you can see your technique and also give feedback from a coach.”

The program implemented systems like the big sister, little sister, where more experienced swimmers take on the role of ‘big sister’ and help a paired younger swimmer, “little sister’ learn the ropes.

“The goal is to win, especially with a lot of the seniors we lost, and make them work so that they can continue the journey without me,” Berendzen said. l

“We can expect the girls to work hard and compete, hopefully to meet their fun and excitement, and our girls can learn something about themselves in the sport,” Head Coach, Mr. Nick Kuper said “ I don’t really look at how good we will be rather it’s about dealing with specific things need to be worked on and what each swimmer can contribute to the overall team we’ve lost quite a few girls the past two years but I believe we will be able to compete”

Kuper says the team’s foundation was set long before this season officially began.  Early practice is focused heavily on technique and building an aerobic base before the meet starts, but winning isn’t the only goal.

“We started with off-season conditioning for seven weeks throughout the fall,” Kuper said. “The main goal this season is to continue to grow and develop our swimmers so that most can legally compete in every event.”

The team hopes to peak at every conference meet, swimming their fastest when it counts the most. As for the pressure the girls may feel, Kuper comes in and makes sure to get his athletes to see it differently.

“ I wouldn’t say there’s much pressure but rather a lot of nerves and adrenaline that come with competing,”  Kuper said. “Relax, have fun, trust the work they have put in throughout practices.”

With dedication, chemistry, and a championship legacy behind them, Hazelwood West Girls are prepared to dive into the season stronger than ever, hoping to make history once again.

“Keep working hard and trust the process. Swimming is only a sport and a lifelong skill, but keep your head up and keep working hard,” Kuper said.