Cabrillo High School Swimming/Diving Season Preview

As the spring season approaches, the Cabrillo High School swim team is gearing up for another successful year. I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Hailey Pedersen about her goals for the team this season and some insights into the key players, challenges, and plans for success. Coach Pedersen's overall goals for the team this season are to continue breaking personal bests and to keep growing and moving forward. In the world of swimming, consistency and progression are essential keys to success. This means that the team will need to continually work hard and strive for improvement in order to achieve their goals. Two top returning swimmers this season are senior Vivian Alderete and sophomore Flor Garibay. What makes these two athletes stand out is not only their speed, but their versatility. They hold the fastest times in every stroke, whether it be sprints or distance. This versatility will be crucial in helping the team score points in a variety of events. One of the biggest challenges in preparing for this season has been the short time frame between water polo and swim season. Coach Pedersen acknowledges that the transition from one sport to the other can be difficult for the players, but she has been working hard to ensure that the team is physically and mentally prepared for the season ahead. Speaking of mental preparation, Coach Pedersen emphasizes the importance of the mental aspect in swimming. She encourages her players to focus on how they feel while swimming and pushing themselves out of their comfort zones. After all, as the saying goes, "if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you." And when it comes to swimming, pushing limits is essential for improvement. In addition to hard work and dedication, team chemistry and camaraderie are also crucial for success. Coach Pedersen understands the importance of fostering a positive and supportive team dynamic. To promote team chemistry, the girls cheer for each other at the end of the lane and give high fives not only to their teammates but also to their opponents. This creates a sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie among the team. So how does Coach Pedersen motivate her players to push themselves to their full potential? She does this by keeping the practices interesting and engaging, using new drills and equipment to improve their strokes. She also allows her players to have some say in what they want to practice, giving them a sense of ownership and control over their training.