The girls varsity swim team won the 4A Southwest Preparatory Conference on Feb. 10 for the first time in Greenhill history.
With weeks of preparation attending a variety of swim meets, the swimmers had multiple first-place finishes and set records throughout the SPC tournament in Houston.
Boys and Girls Swimming Head Coach Patti Monzingo utilized a composite spreadsheet system to help prepare the team for the win. Monzingo researched stats from swimmers across SPC and placed Greenhill swimmers in specific events ensuring the best competition possible.
Monzingo also utilized targeted drills and preparation techniques to increase the speed of the swimmers. She says she saw vast improvement in race times at the end of the season.
“We only have essentially three months so you’ve got to really go with a plan that’s going to get the team fast,” Monzingo said. “Our time drops were amazing.”
Senior Josie Arbuckle secured a first-place win in the 200 Yard event, the 100 Yard Backstroke and the 100 Yard Butterfly. Arbuckle set two school records and an SPC record as well. Arbuckle, throughout her time as a swimmer, holds nine out of 11 school records.
Arbuckle says that the team spirit helped boost morale and her times.
“It was easy to swim fast because we had the support of the team around us,” said Arbuckle.
Sophomore Avery Lonergan came in first place during the 200 Yard freestyle. Lonergan was also a part of a team with Arbuckle, sophomore Sasha Wai and freshman Katherine Feng who won first place in both the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay and the 200 Yard Medley Relay together.
The first-place finishes and other components created a composite score for the team which was the highest out of the 4A division.
The team used connection and chemistry to secure their win in addition to their fast times, said junior Adair Moses. Moses watched the team at SPC compete through virtual streaming sites.
“It was really exciting to watch the team come together and win like that,” Moses said.
Throughout the season, Monzingo incorporated activities like contributing to “gratitude jars” and letter writing after certain practices to increase team spirit and connection. Ultimately Monzingo says SPC accomplishments stemmed from this special team chemistry.
“They’re so supportive of each other, the team camaraderie is so special,” Mozingo said. “Our swimmers have that drive and want to work so hard for [their] team.”
