Feature Photo By: Salmata Soulemane – Rangeview’s pool remains untouched until the Boys swim team’s next meet. The team spends the majority of their time practicing at Hinkley HS.
By: Salmata Soulemane and VeThalia Warren, Review Staff
Rangeview’s boys’ swimming is back Raiders!
The Rangeview boys’ swimming team has, time after time, been able to represent our school in the best way they know how. The team consists of thirty athletes varying from Rangeview, Hinkley, Vista Peak, Gateway, and William Smith. The athletes from Hinkley, Vista Peak, Gateway, and William Smith are on our swim team because their home school doesn’t consist of a boys’ swim team. Ten of our Rangeview swimmers are able to show their abilities. However, this year there have been slight changes, like any team, the boys have lost strong [senior] leaders.
Head Coach Beth Himes says, “We lost a few of our really fast swimmers, but we have more new people this year.”
However, the team isn’t at a total loss with the gain of four seniors making up the roster this year.
Senior Andrew Coleman says, “We had a lot of state-level swimmers last year that have left, and it creates a disconnect in the team, especially the newer swimmers,” he continues saying, “I hope to get rid of that disconnect and become a closer team.”
He feels as though once the team is able to work through their struggles they will be unstoppable.
Himes says, “I think this year will again be a very successful year, I think this group can win League Championships and I think we will qualify at least 1 or 2 relays for state.”
The Rangeview boys’ swim team has had 3 meets within the last week. The first being tri-meet including Rangeview, Cherry Creek, and Mullen Thursday, March 7th at Cherry Creek. Rangeview fell 268-62 to Cherry Creek. The second meet being a Lightning Invite at VMAC-Veteran Memorial Aquatics Center Saturday, March 9th. And the third being against Overland at Hinkley Tuesday, March 12th, which Rangeview took a 132-41 win over.
“I think it’s going to go good, I know there’s a lot of talented boys here at Rangeview that are good at swimming,” stated junior Beatrise Martinez. “But I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a good year for them.”
The boy currently holds a 2-1 overall record. Many would say that the boys are starting the season off strong, putting themselves in a good position to achieve their goal of winning the league this season.
“I hope to get the entire team more involved this year. “We have won leagues the last three years we’ve been swimming. I believe we’ll win it again. We always send at least 5 people to the State Meet every year as well. We don’t need to prove anything to Rangeview or to ourselves. We know what we can do.” stated Coleman.
To find out more about the Rangeview boys’ swim team click here.
