Keeping the tradition alive, the boys and girls swim team returns to the State Championships once again. After countless hours of swimming before and after school, the swim team takes to the pool today and tomorrow in Austin.
The swimmers started practicing only three days into the school year, and it’s a non-stop schedule with 5:45 a.m. practices are normal. The rigorous schedule paid off for the 12 swimmers who clinched a spot at the 2026 UIL state swim meet.
“Show up to practice every day, work, and always do butterfly,” junior C.J. Foltz said.
Consistency is key, and it worked for Foltz. He finished 2nd at regionals in the 100 butterfly. It qualified Foltz for State in an individual event for the first time.
After his finish at Regionals and much team success, Foltz was pumped up for state. He encouraged the entire boys swim team to participate in the tradition where the team bleaches their hair. But boys swim captain senior Brody Burns did not love the idea.
“I’m not touching my hair, I’m graduating,” Burns said.
This didn’t stop the rest of the team in still making a change. With the help of sophomore Jaxon Major, Foltz managed to convince the team to go ginger, which happens to also be the color of Burns’ hair – a final homage to their graduating senior.
“He goes to practice every day and works hard,” Major said. “It’s kind of like honoring him, before he goes.”
The girls team does traditions a little differently, with ice baths and singing the night before State. It’s a chance to bond with seniors before the last meet they’ll have together.
Another tradition is the team’s stop at Elm Grove Elementary, where the students cheer on the swimmers and give them handmade cards before the bus leaves for Austin.
“It is adorable and I still have one that informs me that I am “Marie, the master of swimming,”’ junior Marie Wakefield said.
Swimmers use those cards to keep them motivated as they compete today and tomorrow at the University of Texas. The goal is to make it to finals and earn a medal by finishing among the top three.
After the competition is over the team will stop at Home Slice Pizza for a hearty meal after weeks of meal prep and watching what they eat so they can stay light in the water.
“After a long time of watching what you eat so you’re not dragging around an extra 10 pounds when you swim, it feels so good to have a warm, cheesy, unhealthy slice of pizza,” Wakefield said.
