With one meet down in which sophomore Kai Chung broke a Menlo record in the 200 yard IM, the Menlo swim team is heading into the season with high energy. Led by head coach Simon Cassidy and new assistant coach Nick Bott, the Knights will focus on individual growth and team success as they prepare for league championships and CCS qualifications. 

“People are feeling a lot more competitive, practices are more fun and there’s bigger attendance,” sophomore Sophia Maldonado said. The team also has a lot of water polo players who know each other from the fall season. 

Similarly, Cassidy and Bott have seen more commitment. “The kids this year are a little bit more committed than they have been in previous years,” Cassidy said

Along with Chung’ record-breaking performance, senior Eden Chuang collected three wins at WBAL 2a. Alongside her sister sophomore Zoe Chuang, fellow senior Sofia Flierl and freshman Leila Kao, the Menlo team won the 200 yard freestyle relay. Additionally, Chuang won the 100 yard breaststroke and 200 yard IM races. To top off Menlo’s first place finishes, Flierl won the 100 yard freestyle race by over two seconds.

With four meets until the WBAL championship, every meet counts for the team. Bott highlighted the importance of making each competition an opportunity for growth. “Every meet we go to, we are getting better, we’re getting faster, we’re improving technique, we’re tightening up the details that matter,” Bott said.