As they wrapped up the 2024 season, the Golden Warrior girls swim and dive team moved their way into the postseason. This year’s postseason was definitely one to remember. There were many outstanding highlights from athletes working hard to accomplish higher scores and faster times.
Starting at the IHSA Sectional meet hosted by Byron, the Golden Warriors had an outstanding meet and finished fourth overall with 174 points. Starting the meet off strong, senior Presley Winters placed second with a score of 414 points. Winters is the fifth S.H.S diver to reach 400 points, which has not been accomplished since 2018.
Senior Alyssa Gaffey placed th with 388 points, four places higher than last year. Senior Madison Austin blew the competition out of the water during her 50 free, placing first, and qualifying for state. M. Austin also placed third in the 100 free. Senior Samantha Knox fought competition placing a close second in the 200 IM and fifth in the 500 free. The last event did not disappoint. The 400 IM relay consisted of Kate Austin starting the race off strong, junior Hazel Pham following, Knox contesting to keep first, and M. Austin bringing it home. The swimmers kept a close fight the entire race going back and forth with the Byron relay and ultimately, achieving first place and qualifying for state. A girls relay hasn’t been to state since 2011.
The state meet was held in Westmont, and went well for the girls. Individually, M. Austin in the 50 free made an improvement from last year’s 24th place and placed 23rd this year with a faster time. The 400 IM relay swam fast to pursue a great accomplishment of 32nd place in the entire state.
Sophomore Emma VanHorn said her favorite memory from the season was “everyone dying their hair pink after the conference meet at the sectional sleepover.” This year the swim and dive team did many team bonding activities that they can reminisce on.
Junior Chloe Clark was proud of her individual accomplishments as well as the team’s.
“This season I went some of my best times in the 200 IM and 100 fly. Even though our team was small we were closer than ever and had a great season,” Clark said.
The team is small this year but mighty to say the least.
Senior Samantha Knox was excited about going to state for the first time. She states, “Going to state for the first time was very surreal, especially after swimming with this relay for the last three years and having all four of us work so hard to get to that point. Swimming with some of the best female athletes and getting to watch so many amazing and fast swims was just incredible! This experience was very memorable and I’m glad I got to experience it with these girls!”
Knox has dedicated her time and talents from Sterling Stingrays to Sterling High School swim. Making it to state has shown off all she has been working for and producing an amazing ending to her and everyone’s season.
The 2024 Girls Swim and Dive team worked exponentially hard to achieve such greatness for the Sterling High School season.
