On October 22nd, 2024, the swim team dove into the season as they held their first meet at home against Science Hill. The Aquavikes have been casting like pros, securing two state qualifications by junior Simon Hutchinson and senior Cayden Williams.

“I’ve definitely improved because [my] state time has dropped, since [last year] it’s gotten quicker. It’s actually dropped by like, .30 seconds; it may not seem like a lot, but in a very fast event it’s a lot,” said Hutchinson.

Hutchinson qualified in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.15 seconds; his time for last year’s state qualifying meet was 23.50 seconds. Hutchinson’s pre-season preparations consisted of spending his time in the weight room and the pool.

Alongside Hutchinson is senior Cayden Williams. Williams feels that the team has encouraged him and that “getting to see them makes [him] want to be better.”

“I wasn’t expecting to make state at all. I wanted to do it and get it out of the way, but I wasn’t expecting it, and it felt really good looking up and seeing that I did it,” said Williams.

Williams has skillfully reeled in a big catch for the start of his last season in high school with a qualification also in the 50-yard freestyle and a time of 22.41 seconds. 

“I am so thrilled for both of them! I’m not surprised that either one of them got it at all, but to get it at meet one was pretty rad,” said head coach Katie Sword.

Hoping to continue swimming in college, Williams has been working with Coach Sword to surface his achievements in the depths of college-level competition. Similarly, Hutchinson aims to continue to qualify, to set school records, and, of course, to keep swimming. 

In a splash, the boys will head to Knoxville for the state meet in February.

“I hate to say [it] because it makes me feel like I didn’t have any faith in them, but I was shocked that we got it on the first meet; I was so proud,” said Coach Sword.