If there’s one sport that deserves more spectators per meet, it’s the girls’ swim team, which has the potential to set even more school records this season. The NWN got the chance to sit down with head coach Jason Macejak to discuss this year’s team, its goals, and expectations for the season.
NWN: How is the team looking this year?
Macejak: The team this year has the potential to be the fastest team in Niles West history. It’s going to be really cool to see the fastest girls’ team in school history develop as time goes on.
NWN: What are some goals that the team is hoping to meet this season? How can the girls accomplish the goals?
Macejak: The varsity girls wrote some team goals that they each want to accomplish personally and collaboratively. As always, one of our biggest goals is to beat North. They also have the fastest team in Niles North history, so it will be interesting to see how each team fares. Another goal is to stay healthy by eating well and fueling their bodies with good foods instead of junk. We’d also like to have 100% fast times at conference and sectionals. Finally, we would like to send a team of girls to state this year instead of just a few individuals.
NWN: How has the team improved since last year?
Macejak: We have some freshmen impact in varsity this year. Some JV girls have moved up to varsity and they are doing a good job of stepping up to the plate. The newer girls on the varsity team are good at blending in with the more-experienced varsity swimmers, and it shows by how disperse the girls are within lanes. We moved up senior Rebecca Yun to varsity, and she will be competing in the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM. We didn’t lose a lot, in terms of speed. The team looks like it’s going to be moving up to the next level this year.
NWN: What are some important meets this year?
Macejak: We start the season off with a dual meet against Northside College Prep. It’s a positive note as far as doing all the little things correctly. Niles North is another key meet for the season. The girls know each other from the off-season club, so it is always good to see them become more competitive with each other once the North vs. West meet rolls around. Maine South has a lot of talent coming in this year, but we hope to maybe meet the competition on all levels. It’s another opportunity to fine-tune the racing going into state and conferences. In general, the meets can only make us better.
NWN: What are some improvements that the team needs this season?
Macejak: There are a lot of new girls to varsity. It’s a big difference between swimming on JV and swimming on varsity. The girls have to adjust both physically and mentally. Varsity needs to step up the game. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
NWN: Who are the top team contributors this year?
Macejak: We are returning junior Edan Scott, who placed 5th in the 50 free at last year’s state finals. The other top contributor for the team is sophomore Emma Helgeson, who is a different swimmer now than she was last year. Emma is shooting towards a goal of going to state this year.
NWN: How far does the team have to make it for this season to be considered a success?
Macejak: Every year means a different team. When the girls are competing in their final meet of the season, they should be getting their fastest times. We want to have a state team this year. It’s only a fail if we don’t try hard enough on a daily basis. The girls need to give 100% every day to be the best they can possibly be.
NWN: Is there any additional information that you’d like to add?
Macejak: It’s great to be a part of the team. The girls have a wonderful work ethic, and they put time in over the spring and summer. As always, there is always room for improvement.
The girls’ swim team takes on Northside College Prep this Thursday at Northside at 5:30 PM.
