It takes a lot of practice, motivation, and good spirits to win a race for the ILS Royals swim team. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the team has been training a little differently this year, managing the best they can, and showing it in the end result as they dive into the water for a possible win.

“Because of Covid-19, it was hard to find a pool that would be able to accommodate for us, but most of us swim on club teams and have found other public pools to practice at,” said senior Catalina Lujan.

They have a set of workouts that their swim coach provide them during the week, on their own time, and before a meet. Aside from physical training, the team has different rituals and recite. prayer before entering a pool.

“As for rituals, we make sure to be the loudest team at the meet. We bring bells and stuff to cheer each other as obnoxiously loud for the fun of it. We also pray a ‘Hail Mary’ and do a chant of ‘Moses, SPLIT THE WATERS’ before each meet starts,” added Lujan.

They make it a point to hype each other up as a type of motivation. It boosts their morale and makes it more fun, especially since they don’t practice and bond as much together. The team also has a tradition of going to Wendy’s after every meet to celebrate.

“We always have a great time laughing and talking amongst ourselves; it’s a time to bond as a team since we don’t get to spend time with each other aside from the meets,” said Lujan.

Even though they may not share the same pool for practice and test each other’s time before each meet, they show real sportsmanship and stand together to represent ILS as a team every time they get together for a meet, and make a splash in the pool.