Senior Paige Holbrook felt the nerves course through her veins as she stepped up to begin her last lap as a swimmer for East.

“I am very nervous that it is my last invitational because last year’s was very successful and I want to medal again,” Holbrook said. “There’s also nerves of it being one of my last times competing and being able to drop time so I can reach my best.”

Captain of the swim team, junior Ayden Johnson said this year’s swim season revealed many triumphs for him. He said it is important to never give up and keep pushing to ensure success.

“This year of swim is definitely better than the past,” Johnson said. “I was able to expand to new strokes and drop more time.”

Holbrook and Johnson were chosen as captains for the swim team this season. Johnson has been on the swim team for three years and has done club swim since fifth grade. Holbrook has been on for three years.

“My teammates and I ensure others success by cheering everyone on,” Johnson said. “We always encourage others to cheer on members when waiting for events. It’s a great feeling to see everyone at the other end shouting your name and it gives you an extra boost of energy.”

Coach Gregg Beeman said to ensure success in his swimmers he instills confidence and good techniques. It is his 16th year at East and he said he still worries about whether or not he has prepared his swimmers enough and if they will apply what they have been taught.

“[The swimmers] work more on starts, turns, finishes, and technique with less emphasis on yardage,” Beeman said.

Johnson said he enjoys the competitive feel of the swim meets. He said he thrives off of  pushing himself and getting out into new environments.

“I look forward to seeing the new swimmers coming from both East and Platteview because it nice to meet new people and you become really close with them as the season goes on,” Johnson said.

Holbrook said she is proud of herself in this year’s season. With it being her last season, Holbrook said she pushed herself even harder. She said she left with great successes and was proud of how far she has come since her first year on the team.

“There is a huge sense of relief after I finish a race,” Holbrook said. “I’m usually nervous before the race and worried I won’t do well or that something will go wrong.” Holbrook said. “Afterwards, it always works out, everything went right and I dropped time or improved from the last race I had.”