The swim team wasn’t expecting to get too many new athletes this year, but then junior Tanner Zalar joined – and convinced his friends to as well.

“Originally I wanted to join the team with Carter (Smeal), because he did not have a winter activity,” Zalar said. “But I ended up talking Alex (Myers) into joining, and he asked Mason (Lewis) to join as well.”

One of Zalar’s motivators for joining swim was his father. Zalar said his dad swam in high school and he wanted to follow in his footsteps.

The team has been welcoming to the new members, allowing them to create bonds and friendships, he said.

“Definitely the most memorable parts of being on the team are the team dinners and breakfasts. I especially enjoyed the Christmas breakfast that we did over break,” Zalar said.

Because of the friendly atmosphere, Myers said the swim team has been doing well.

“While we might not be at our full potential as a team, we are doing well so far this year,” Myers said. “Getting more people on the team is definitely helping us during the meets.”

Myers credits Zalar with being a good role model, encouraging and motivating others to do their best.

“Doing relays with Tanner is always special for me because he helps me push to my full potential during the race,” Myers said. 

Zalar feels that even though he knew how to swim beforehand, the sport itself is more complicated.

“I feel like it was a whole entire process learning all of the different strokes and ways to swim,” Zalar said. “I’m still learning some of the strokes. To be able to swim competitively was harder than I thought.”

Swim captain senior Nathaniel McWilliams, a long-time member of the team, said Zalar has greatly improved this season even though he is a new swimmer.

“He started off just like any other new member, but right now he’s looking really good and has made a lot of progress,” McWilliams said.

McWilliams said he was thankful for the new teammates.

“More people on the team will always help us out,” McWilliams said. “Tanner, specifically, always helps get the team going and ready from the get-go.”

In previous winter sports seasons, Zalar has done indoor track, but he said he wanted to try something different this year. Even though Zalar enjoys swimming, it still is not his favorite sport. 

“Doing swim will definitely help prepare me for the track season, but I still do not like it more than I like track,” Zalar said