Coach Justin Richards plans to dive deep into the upcoming swim season.

“Our goal is always just to compete on the highest level possible and try to improve,” Richards said.

The Cougar roster does not boast as many year-round swimmers as their competition, and the old Cap-8 conference was comprised of several strong swim programs. Now in the NAC-VI, Richards is looking forward to having a fresh start.

“It’s a new conference, so we’d like to set the pace and let them know we are going to go to every meet and give it our all. They will see us getting better throughout season, and work towards that common goal of peaking during conference, trying to place and making our school proud for the final standings,” Richards said.

Returning swimmer, Maddie Briley believes the most important aspect of a team is working together. Richards agrees.

“I think that is the ultimate concept of a team. You’re not by yourself, you push yourself and become the best you possibly can because you know your team is relying on you,” Richards said. You don’t want to let them down. Other people see that and respond in the same way. This builds a healthy, positive culture.”

In their opening meet Nov. 16 the teams faced off with Leesville, Millbrook and Garner. The girls took third place, edging out Garner 77 to 62. The boys finished fourth behind Garner 100 to 68.

Their second meet Dec. 4 provided similar results when the team travelled again to the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary to compete against Leesville, Broughton and Wakefield.

The girls defeated the rival Wolverines 85 to 77 to again take third, while the boys fell to fourth behind Leesville 117 to 77.

There was a bright spot for the boys, however, as sophomore Gideon Bezuidhenhout was the champion in the 100m Breaststroke.

Sophomore Melvin McLawhorn hopes to continue his swimming career.

“My future plans for swimming are to swim at the college of my dream, Howard University. I hope to attend the next olympics,” McLawhorn said.

The swim team will continue to build bonds in and out of the water.

Richards said, “We’re a pretty close group outside of the pool. We will continue that so we can be closer, and we can support each other in meets and throughout the season. We have more of that team concept.”