The Westfield High School Swim and Dive team has kicked off the season with remarkable success, displaying individual excellence and impressive team depth. Head Coach Darrick Thomas is enthusiastic about the team’s progress and emphasizes the well-rounded talent that has emerged on both the women’s and men’s sides.
“We’ve had an excellent start to the season as a team,” said Coach Thomas. “We have some standout athletes at the top of our women’s and men’s teams as well as great depth, especially on our women’s team.”
Several athletes have already made headlines with outstanding performances. Freshman Evie Wheat broke the team’s 100-yard butterfly record. At the same time, sophomores Griffen Barents-Froman, Zach Welch, and Garreth Thomas posted times close to team records in the 100 breaststroke, 500 freestyle, and 100 butterfly, respectively. Though these times were achieved at a mid-season club meet and do not yet qualify as official school records, they suggest significant potential for record-breaking performances later in the season.
Senior swimmers Kiarra Thomas and Alex Munn, along with standout performances from freshman Laney McCulloch and returning state qualifier junior Kate Cassidy, have positioned the team to send a strong contingent of athletes to the state meet. Coach Thomas also highlighted the strength of the relay teams, which are poised to be highly competitive at the state level.
The team recently wrapped up their high-intensity holiday break training, rising to the challenge and setting themselves up for the busy weeks ahead. This period of hard work will prepare them for a stretch of multiple meets with less focus on training. Soon, the swimmers will enter a phase called the “taper,” where training intensity and volume are reduced to ensure they reach peak conditions for optimal performance, shared Coach Thomas. The time leading up to the taper can be one of the most demanding parts of the season, requiring focus, determination, and continued preparation for meets still a month away.
“The time from now to taper can be the most challenging part of the season,” explained Coach Thomas. “Staying focused and working hard in preparation for championship meets a month away is critical to our success.”
A memorable highlight of the season so far was a dual meet against Noblesville, where both the women’s and men’s teams fought closely contested races, with several events decided in the final moments. This meet was an excellent test as Noblesville remains a key competitor in the upcoming sectional championship.