The K-Park swim team, one of the school’s most successful athletic programs, once again made it to state this year.

That came as no surprise to the team, because they have had so many consecutive years with state appearances.

“We’ve been to state every year the school’s been a thing, except for the first year,” said Eric Broussard, a graduated Kingwood Park swimmer. “Of those years we placed top five every time, and four first places.”

With numbers like these, it is easy to understand how the team returned to state yet again.

The team works very hard to ensure they have a spot every year.

“State is very important to us because it gives us a true opportunity to go out and show everyone what we train for all season long,” said senior swimmer Cory Majid.

The team doesn’t just magically make state every year. They train long and hard all year leading up to the competition.

Starting in August, the team practices for two hours every school day.

“It’s hard,” said sophomore swimmer, Nick Farace, “But with that much practice, we always have good chances at state.”

In addition, Majid said, the team knows it must perform well at meets leading up to the big event.

“State is something we look forward to,” Majid said, “but in order to get there we must take care of our business at district and region.”

The Panthers swim team placed 11th at the state contest in Austin on Feb. 17 and 18, but the work is not done. The swimmers will soon begin preparing for next year, with high hopes of another shot at state.