Last year’s swim and dive season was anything but smooth-sailing for the Water Warriors, who had to navigate the choppy waters of the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 season. Yet, having only four swim meets the entire season, they still managed to qualify swimmers for the state meet, competing hard at every given opportunity. This year, the Dubs are diving back into the pool and not looking back, fielding a large team full of enthusiastic swimmers of all levels of experience who are ready to improve and develop the program.

Dubs swimmers and divers are excited to be able to compete more consistently again. There are 10 scheduled swim and dive meets, including the Atlanta Public Schools championships, which were not held last year, and the Georgia State Meet at Georgia Tech aquatic center, where the team’s best swimmers compete in mid-February. “Last year, with our team having minimal opportunities to compete, it was difficult to qualify for state, but when I qualified in backstroke in the last meet of the season, there was no better feeling,” said senior Douglas Dumont, a three-year state swimmer. “I am glad to have many more opportunities this year to qualify, and I hope that means more people will make it this year.”

Such achievement for swimmers like Dumont is the culmination of the immense commitment that being a swimmer requires. Dubs swimmers take on intense 90 minute workouts  four days per week. While not every swimmer will make it to the state competition, all athletes work their hardest to improve their individual times. Water Warriors are expected to leave everything they have in the pool every day of practice. “As Coach Tim will tell you after a really hard set, if you are a swimmer, you chose the hardest sport,” said senior Libby Zufi. “Coaches expect us to know the state qualifying times for the events that we swim, so when we train, we are always goal-oriented and working to improve no matter who we are.” 

North Atlanta not only looks to build a strong culture for their high school team, but also to set an example for their new neighbors at Chastain Park Pool, the Sutton Middle School swim team. Previously not having a team, the North Atlanta feeder middle school now shares evening practice times with North Atlanta’s team. Future water warriors are given the opportunity to develop and learn alongside their high school counterparts. Some of the best Sutton swimmers are even grouped with high school swimmers during workouts. “This past week in practice, I actually had an 8th grader in my lane with me one of the days, and I was really impressed with how he was able to keep up with me during our sets,” said senior Davis Maxey. “It’s cool to know that the future of the program looks up to us and will follow behind us.”

Stroke by stroke, the Water Warriors are swimming their way towards a successful 2021-22 season and overall swim program. They are excited to be back in the water, and expect big things to come as they return to consistent competition. Go Dubs!