Over the years, girls swim and dive has achieved two State championships, 12 top four State finishes, and 12 Conference championships. This season alone, the girls produced their second consecutive Conference title along with being the Marquette Relay Champions.

Coming off two undefeated seasons, girls swimming and diving competed at State on Feb. 20 and 21, breaking a total of six records and finishing sixth overall.

Joe Schoedel, head swim coach, said heading into the meet, the girls practiced six days a week including working in the Weight Room along with extensive time in the pool.

“The girls hold themselves to a very high level of expectations,” Schoedel said. “My job is simply to help them reach their goals. I would say back-to-back championships and undefeated seasons is meeting our goals.”

Schoedel said the team relied on their depth all season, pulling together at the end when they battled Lafayette to win Conference.

This was a very strong recruiting year for our freshman,” Schoedel said. “They really added to our depth in each event and challenged the older swimmers for spots,” Schoedel said.

Lauren Bergin, freshman, has been swimming for Rockwood Swim Club since she was 8 years old before trying out for MHS this year.

She swam in four events including the medley relay, 200 individual medley, 100 back and the 400 free relay.

“I was very happy because I am only a freshman, I didn’t think that I would place,” Bergin said.

Bergin reflects on this season, as she looks forward to next season to stay undefeated.

“I’m going to miss this season a lot because I feel like high school is a lot different than club because you get closer with everybody, and the group of girls had such a tight bond.”

Even in the most intense moments this season, Bergin said her teammates were able to keep her positive.

“We all just have to push each other and keep a good attitude going into events, even if you have a rough day, you can always count on your teammates to keep you upbeat and going,” Bergin said.
Karli Basler, senior, was one of two co-captains for the team along with Allison Tichenor.

Basler swam in the 100 Back at state and placed twelfth with a time of 59.62 seconds. She ends her high school career with a personal best.

“In the beginning, it was kind of a rough start, when we all didn’t know each other, and after we did we found a chemistry and it really worked out,” Basler said.

To Basler, the key to the success and continued success of the team is focus.

“It’s easy to get distracted when we are doing so well and winning all of our meets, so it’s just really important that we come together and remember that it’s not easy all of the time,” Basler said.
To improve, Basler said that continued focus in practice is what will keep the winning momentum flowing for future seasons.

Ashley Yarbrough, junior, placed first out of 57 divers and broke her previously set six dive records with 299 points. Even with a first place finish, Yarbrough was frustrated, narrowly missing her personal goal of 300 points.

“I had the record with 298, and I broke it with 299, but I just really wanted to break 300,” Yarbrough said.

At the end of the season, Yarbrough said she is proud. Next year, she plans to break the record for a third consecutive year, this time with 300 points.

Lisa Roth, diving coach, praised Yarbrough for her hard work and dedication throughout the season.

“Ashley has lots of determination. She came into practice each and everyday just ready to do whatever I needed her to do,” Roth said. “It’s so rewarding to watch an athlete that deserves it reach her goal,” Roth said.

“They started the season strong,” Schoedel said. “The girls never looked back, and they finished undefeated.”