The Greater Latrobe Girls Swim and Dive Team are ready to start off their season. The girls finished last season undefeated 13-0 with a section record of 5-0. They also clinched the AAA Westmoreland County Coaches Association (WCCA) title. With that, they also qualified numerous girls for WPIAL.
Destini Homan said, ”Personally I don’t think it was our main goal at the beginning of the season, but towards the end after we beat Mount Pleasant, it became one of our top goals to achieve.” Homan and her teammates had to work hard to accomplish winning the section title and counties.
Homan said, “I think working together as a team and having a good attitude and spirit towards each other really helped and motivated us to reach that goal.” The goal of winning the section title.
Last year there was one opponent that they had to keep their eye on. Homan states, “Franklin was definitely our toughest opponent because they had the same amount of girls as us. We just had more quality over quantity.” Even though swimming is an individual sport the girls rely on one another to push them to the next level to become the best versions of themselves.
“Winning is not something that is given. It is something that is earned.” This is a phrase that the lady wildcats can relate to. The ladies practice around the clock both in and out of the pool. With practice Monday – Saturday which includes both swimming and lifting weights. With some practices being before school. Jumping in a freezing cold pool at 5 am in the middle of winter is not a very appetizing thought.
Hannah Carasia said, “Practicing so much helps all of us bond and become more unified as a team.” The girls enjoy spending time together at practice but also make an effort to get to know each other better by doing things outside of practice.
Practicing day after day can be exhausting. Carasia says,” It does get hard to go to practice, especially late in the season. It’s a demanding sport, so your heart really has to be in it.”
When asked what motivates her Carasia said, “Winning is honestly the biggest motivation. Seeing all the hard work pay off and come together throughout the season makes everything worth it.”
With their eyes set on this upcoming season, the Lady Wildcats have their eyes set on new goals. Senior Kate Wolford said, “Some goals we have as a team are to qualify as many people as possible in relays and have everyone go personal best times in at least one event. Of course, these goals don’t come naturally. Wolford said, “To accomplish these goals we will have to motivate each other at meets and during practice no matter how difficult the practice is, and to help each other with technique when needed.” Wolford will be critical to the team in the longer-distance events. She will be one of the leaders of this team. Wolford says, “I’m looking forward to just having a good relationship with everyone, trying to make the team closer together, and just motivating each other because that is what will make us swim faster at meets.”
Coach Grey Arrigonie will be coaching the Lady Wildcats toward these goals. Lauren Bell, “Although he’s a tough coach, he pushes me and makes me work hard in practice and helps me to individually succeed. He gives us beneficial sets that may be tough, but he keeps a good balance between hard work and having fun at practice to keep us interested.” The girls enjoy getting to hear about Coach Grey’s day and vice versa.
Bell also described the team’s hopes of capturing the section for the third consecutive year, “He’s helping us with not only our personal goals, but also our goals as a team. Grey’s helping us work towards hopefully another section title on the girls team.”
The first swim meet will be on Wednesday, November 29 at Greater Latrobe Natatorium at 6:00 pm.
