The girls swimming and diving team ended its season after placing fourth at the IHSA Sectionals on Nov. 4 at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Nine swimmers and one diver competed and scored 207 points, only one point behind Jones College Prep.
The results included:
- Elizabeth Oyler, third place in 100-meter backstroke
- Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu, Zoe Cobb, Lydia Gilbert and Elizabeth Oyler, third place in 200-meter freestyle relay
- Zoe Cobb, Paxton Cooper, Lydia Gilbert and Rachel Hu, fourth place in 400-meter freestyle relay, which set a new ninth grade/sophomore team record
A week prior, the team placed first at the ISL Conference Meet held at Lake Forest Academy on Oct. 28. They scored the highest, with 214 points, beating Lake Forest Academy’s 168 points, and Latin School of Chicago’s 97 points.
Senior Elizabeth Oyler, a co-captain, worked to emphasize the importance of winning, but also the importance of building a close-knit community among the team members. From spirit weeks to pasta parties, she and co-captain Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu worked to strengthen the team’s bond. Elizabeth referenced the stress that comes with Lab’s academic expectations, and her appreciation for having the team as such a special place to her.
“Having a group of people at the school that’s like a family is really helpful, and having that community experience where you feel like you know the people who share your values and root for you is really helpful as you push through the academics at Lab,” Elizabeth said.”
For the diving section of the team, junior Uma Malani, one of the three divers, and the captain, shares Elizabeth’s feelings of pride for the team.
“The season has been very good. I think this year especially, compared to last year and the year before, the relationship within the team, like our bonding, has been so much better,” Uma said. “We are so much closer and more comfortable with each other, so there’s a nicer environment.”
