Last year’s Swimming and Diving season wasn’t something anyone could have predicted. For starters, all the regular season meets were virtual, therefore, each team would compete in their own pool, and then submit their results to the other team. When the postseason came, there were limited fans allowed in person, and each session was limited to 250 competitors on deck. University School had no returning State qualifiers from the previous year, and it was anyone’s guess how the team would perform. In miraculous fashion, the team finished 3rd in the state for Division II, and only 8 points out of 2nd. With six of the seven State qualifiers returning, there are high expectations for the 2021-2022 season.

The season is already underway, with less than half of the season left to go. There have been four meets so far this season, with the team finishing 3-1. The first meet was against Archbishop Hoban and the team dominated with a final score of 150.5 (US) – 34.5 (ABH). The second meet against Gilmour Academy ended with another crushing final score of 124 (US) – 43 (GA). In the third meet against St. Ignatius, US narrowly lost with a score of 91 (US) -94 (SIHS). In the fourth meet against rival Hawken, the preppers defeated the hawks with a final score of 107 (US) -76 (GMH).

With just six weeks to go until the State meet, many of last year’s top point scorers are setting their sights on the State final. US returns top state scorer and Co-captain Spencer Ernst ’22, who placed 11th in the 200-yard freestyle and 4th in the 500-yard freestyle last year and is looking to improve even more come February. The second highest returning scorer, Ben Davis ’24, looks to improve upon his 8th place finish in the 200-yard Individual Medley as well as 9th in the 500-yard freestyle. State 50-yard freestyle finalist, Jack Faulkner 23’, looks to add the 100-yard freestyle to his arsenal this year. Other state qualifiers, Tyler Farkas ’23, Miguel Figueroa ’24, and Ian Sullivan ’23, all look to return and place well in the 2022 State meet.

In addition to the swimmers, diving captain Cam Bizjak ’23 looks to qualify to the State meet again, after qualifying and being unable to compete last year. With five new divers joining Cam this season, this is one of the best diving teams in the history of the school. Cam has significantly increased the difficulty of his diving list in hopes to score crucial points for the team in Canton.

The swimming and diving captains have an enormous impact on the rest of the team. Captains Ted Applebaum ’22 and Spencer Ernst ’22 are the heart and soul of the entire team. With COVID running rampant in the area, the captains face extra stress during the season. Spencer mentions how “the biggest challenge this team is going to face is staying healthy.” Ted similarly mentions that “we’ve all made sacrifices to stay healthy.” Looking forward, both captains recognize the potential of this young team. Spencer notes the “multiple personal-bests set in our home pool,” even without many fans or in-person competition. After the remaining dual meets, all eyes will be on the postseason. Ted notes that “I, like pretty much everyone else on the team, am really focused right now on trying to have a good postseason.” Both captains surely sense the hope heading into the home stretch. According to Spencer “We know how good this team can be and are excited to share it with the swimming world as the season progresses and winds down.” Similarly, according to Ted, “it’s going to be really fun to see the culmination of our hard work.”

As the season closes out in fewer than six weeks, fan support makes a difference. Pre-COVID, the stands at C. T. Branin Natatorium in Canton would be packed with thousands of fans, where US would always have the loudest student section every year. Whether or not fans will be allowed to attend the State meet is still up for debate, but either way, any support goes a long way. Go Preppers!