Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences Swim and Dive 2024 Season Preview(CA)

As the new swim season begins, anticipation and excitement fill the air for the Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences swim team. With returning members and promising new additions, they are ready to take the pool by storm. We spoke to Coach Tara Shima about the upcoming season and the potential of her team. Coach Shima is focused on helping every single member of the team reach their full potential in the water. This requires dedication and hard work, both in the pool and in the weight room. She has high hopes for the team's performance and is working towards a strong taper, where their training will decrease in intensity and volume to prepare them for their key meets. One of the top swimmers to watch this season is Miles Blackson-Dunbar, who is currently a top high school swimmer in the state. Jake Hirshberg is also a standout, and has been working hard to achieve a sub-30 time in the 50 breast and hopes to break the one-minute mark in the 100 breast by the end of the season. Along with returning teammate Kai Pringle, a natural sprinter, and newcomer Zach Tower, these swimmers have the potential to make a big impact in relays. On the girls' side, Jamie Jones is a rising star in the club arena and has recently signed with Indiana University. Returning girl swimmers Rowena Smith, Anastasia Shima-Hernandez, Kerron Jones, and Cali O'Donovan are also expected to make a strong appearance in the post-season. The team has also welcomed a talented group of freshmen who are expected to make a significant impact. Freshman Zach Tower is a powerhouse in distance events and will be a valuable addition to the relay teams. Ella Troughton and Harper Gabor are also looking like contenders for CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) titles and will have an immediate impact on the team's relays. Additionally, the team welcomes its first freshman diver, Zoe Shen, who has been putting in hard work in the pool. Coach Shima looks for role models and team players who show up, put in the work, and encourage their teammates to do the same. The team captains are Cali O'Donovan and Rowena Smith for the girls, and Jake Hirshberg, Kai Pringle, and Benjamin Klyce for the boys.