As the start of a new season approaches, the Westview High School swimming team is gearing up for another successful year. With their sights set on winning the league championship and placing high at CIF, the team is focused on improving and pushing themselves to their full potential. We spoke with Coach Deon Lourens to get a sneak peek into what can be expected from the team this season.
The top returning players from last season are sure to make a big impact this year. According to Coach Lourens, all of the club swimmers who have been training all year round are expected to stand out. This includes Derek Ho, Braeden Renken, Eric Yuan, Ethan Diep, and Lorenzo Wenger for the boys, and Julia Souza, Nora Dunn, and Chloe Chen for the girls. These swimmers have an advantage as they are faster than average high school swimmers due to their year-round training.
When it comes to selecting team captains, Coach Lourens looks for qualities such as leadership, integrity, quality, teamwork, and respect among teammates, coaches, and officials. He believes that these qualities are crucial in creating strong team chemistry and camaraderie. This year, Ethan Diep, a freshman, has been selected as one of the team captains, showcasing his leadership potential and dedication to the team.
In terms of motivation, Coach Lourens relies on the team captains to keep the team positive and inclusive. He believes that a positive mindset is crucial in pushing each player to their full potential. However, preparing for the season does not come without its challenges.
One of the biggest challenges for the team this year has been the pool heater breaking down and the team having to juggle their training schedule during the president's week. Despite this setback, the team is determined to overcome any obstacles and give their best performance.
The team's schedule for this season looks challenging, with their first meet scheduled for March 7th. Coach Lourens acknowledges that every team they will compete against has fast club swimmers and is stacked with talent. However, this does not deter him and his team from looking forward to tough opponents and games. In fact, he sees it as an opportunity for his team to push themselves and improve.
When asked about changes in his coaching style, Coach Lourens mentioned that he will be implementing more race simulation training this year. He believes that shorter, quality training will be more beneficial for the team, rather than focusing on long, "junk" mileage. This aligns with his coaching philosophy of focusing on the process rather than the outcome. He believes that every race is a good race, as long as the swimmers give their best effort and stay focused on the process.
The mental aspect of the game is also crucial for the team, with Coach Lourens emphasizing that swimming is 90% mental and 10% physical. He believes that the mind, body, and spirit must be aligned for a swimmer to perform at their best and drop time. This season, he plans to incorporate more mental training into the team's program, ensuring that they are mentally prepared to perform at their best.
As for the team's strengths and weaknesses, it is still too early to tell. However, Coach Lourens is confident that with hard work and dedication, the team will continue to improve and build on their strengths while addressing any weaknesses. He believes that there are no shortcuts in swimming, and it takes time and effort to see results.
In conclusion, the Westview High School swimming team is ready to take on the challenge of the new season. With a dedicated coach and a talented team, they are determined to achieve their goals and make their mark in the league. With a focus on the process, mental preparation, and team chemistry, the team is well-equipped to tackle any challenges that may come their way. All eyes are on the Westview High School swimming team, and we can't wait to see them in action.
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