Enloe swim is dedicated — dedicated to their sport, but as importantly, dedicated to their community.
This year, the team had a record-breaking season. Literally. At states alone, seven school records were broken. The men’s swim team was first place at every regular season meet, first at conference, first at regionals, and second at states. The women’s swim team matched this excellence, earning second at regionals and fourth at states. “All around really elite high school swimmers on both sides. It’s amazing what we do together as a team,” describes senior team member Micah Slusser.
This incredible success can be attributed to their dedication. During their winter season, you can find the team at the Pullen Aquatic Center preparing for their meets. Through several circuits of competition, from the regular season to conference, regionals, and states, the Enloe swim team leaves a lasting legacy of their hard work and talent.
Parker Van Olst, a current Enloe sophomore and a state champion for swimming, has been dedicated to the sport for 13 years, starting off in the Summer League when he was three. Drawn to the competitiveness of swimming, it was a no brainer for him to join the Enloe team his freshman year. Like many highly competitive members of the team, he is at practice, whether it be with his club team or Enloe, every single day of the week, sometimes both before and after school.
The swim team’s incredible level of accomplishment is made possible not just by the hard work of each individual swimmer, but also by the community and culture they foster together. In addition to being a strong member of the team, Parker explains that “Micah is our biggest supporter. Every race, he’s behind the blocks cheering you on.” In Micah’s own words, “We have the wins, but we also have this incredible team culture. You spend so much time with these people, and everyone is just pushing everyone to be their best. You get really close to everyone on the team.”
An important way the team builds this sense of community is through their many traditions. One is the team cheer they do at the end of each meet, which Parker describes as “one of the most rewarding parts of the event.”
Another celebrated tradition are team parties throughout the year full of food and festivities. Notably, the team holds an annual winter holiday party which features a white elephant gift exchange. After a turkey from the thrift store was entered into the white elephant several years ago, it has since become the “unofficial swim team mascot,” according to Micah. Now, at every swim meet when the racers jump in, you’ll see Micah at the end of the pool, holding it up, shaking it in the air, and yelling. As Parker puts it, “Micah holding the turkey above you is like a good luck charm for all of us.”
The Buzek Olympics is another valued tradition. Created by Coach Buzek, it promotes the atmosphere of friendly competition and encouragement teeming throughout the team. One competition even involves choreographing a water dance, which is then judged by the swim managers!
The team has incredible things to say about their leadership as well. Micah added, “I don’t think I’ve ever been as motivated to do well athletically than I have been with Coach Buzek. You can see her passion and how much she cares about the sport, but also [how much she cares about] you as an athlete and how much she believes in you. She just gives everything she has, and it makes you want to do well for her.”
Just because the swim team’s practices and meets are separated from our school building, it shouldn’t mean their wins are separate from our school spirit! During the season, meets happen at Triangle Aquatic Center on Tuesdays from 7-10 p.m. and are open for students to come cheer the swimmers on for free. Freshman swimmer Sumner Eshleman says, “People should show up more at the meets, despite the timing. Showing up and showing out at the meets is super important!” Parker says another way to show your support for the swim team is to acknowledge their wins at school and on social media. A little encouragement goes a long way to recognize the swimmers’ hard work!
For those thinking about joining the team, Sumner says, “It’s challenging, but it’s helped me to grow so much. I would highly recommend it!” Micah says, “Just give your all! Give everything you have to the sport, but also the community.” From their best ever season to their strong family atmosphere, it’s clear that the sentiment of giving it your all resonates throughout the entire swim team!
