On Tuesday, May 6, the girls swim and water polo teams celebrated their seniors at a combined Senior Night with the boys swim team and the water polo teams on the deck of the Parkway North Pool. The teams’ senior nights were combined into one because of the construction at North’s pool.
“It wasn’t much because we literally couldn’t do much, so it wasn’t how it was supposed to be traditionally,” said senior Daria Panov, who has been on the swim team at North since her freshman year.
Usually, seniors get to participate in traditions like their final swim and pushing their coach into the pool. However, even though the construction is finished, there is no water in the pool so none of the traditional activities could take place.
“I was a little bummed out that I didn’t get to have a traditional Senior Night because usually we get to push our coaches into the pool,” said senior Athena DeKinder, who has been doing water polo and swimming for North for four years.
At the ceremony, the coaches read bios about all of the seniors and recognized them for their hard work. Then, snacks and refreshments were served.
“All three of the senior girls – Anna Z., Daria P. and Athena D.- were three of the best seniors I have ever had the pleasure of coaching in over 25 years of coaching high school swimmers,” said girls swim coach PJ Keller. It is Keller’s first year of coaching the team at North.
The girls water polo team had seven seniors, the girls swim team had three seniors, and the boys swim team had one senior. Multiple girls on the swim and water polo teams have been doing water sports for their whole high school career, while some others just joined this year. Regardless of when they joined, the girls formed a close connection as a team.
“I love the people I’ve met on the team. They have really changed my life,” Panov said.
This year, none of North’s swim or water polo teams have been able to swim or practice at their own pool. Due to the construction, they’ve had to practice and swim solely at other pools.
“They had an incredibly challenging season with no pool, lots of snow and ice, and a team-wide illness right before conference,” Keller said. “They never waivered, and they always gave me their best efforts and something to be proud of every day.”
Doing water sports have given the seniors challenges and experiences that will benefit them in the years to come.
“I enjoy them because they are challenging mentally and physically,” DeKinder said. “I continue because they push me to my limits.”
Despite the difficulties and challenges, the seniors were able to celebrate the year’s achievements at their Senior Night.
“Regardless, I am happy we got to do something for seniors in our home pool to highlight our end of the year,” Panov said.
