The Tahoma boys swim team has had many victories in the past seasons and is currently working hard to repeat that past. A new year of swim is bringing new challenges, accomplishments, and a whole new team. Tahoma swim is just starting up, their first meet being December 1st. Come out and support as the Tahoma boys swim team works their way to more victories. 

Theresa Castaneda, the head coach for the Tahoma swim team since 2011, is an experienced and devoted coach leading the team. Castaneda was an accomplished distance swimmer, swimming from the age of just nine years old all the way through her collegiate career at Luther College. This year will mark the 20th year of coaching swim for Castaneda. With the years of experience under her belt, the Tahoma swim team is well equipped for the season ahead of them. 

“One of the proudest moments of my coaching career is watching athletes do the unthinkable.  Whether it is winning state to getting a lifetime best time.  I love watching people step up and ‘move mountains.’”

Casteneda has stood alongside her swimmers and helped to improve their times, confidence, and perform better than they ever have. One of her current swimmers, Sam Lindell, talks about the Tahoma team and the work ethic that the team possesses. Lindell has been swimming on and off on multiple clubs and teams since the third grade and continues his swimming career this year as a junior on the Tahoma swim team. He explains that sprinting is where his passion lies. 

“It’s an adrenaline rush, then it’s done”

“It’s great to see everyone on the team—regardless of skill level—just work hard. It’s impressive to see the swimmers that are brand new to the sport, in a stage in the sport where it’s pretty grueling as one is just starting to build their endurance/speed, still working hard everyday.”

This new team has created an atmosphere where improvement is wanted and hard work is rewarded. This is a group where everyone can come together and perform well while still having a good time. 

“The guys are great and supportive, but make sure to be polite and focused. The coaches are the perfect level of strictness where there is appropriate structure and discipline in the program while still joking around when appropriate.”

Just as Lindell explains, Swimming is a difficult sport. It has taken hard work and dedication for the Tahoma team to make big meets like state in the past, and through the same hard work and dedication from the team and coaches, the Tahoma team can make state and perform well. 

“I am excited to see what they accomplish.  They are a young-ish team with a lot of talent.  It will be fun to see what they can accomplish together” (Casteneda). 

Together, this team is working hard through the season to make it to state this year. With a whole new team this year and lots of talent, the Tahoma boys swim team has a great season ahead. Casteneda and the rest of the team is even holding an Alumni meet this year for boys and girls that have graduated from high school and are coming back for the day to swim with the current team. This meet will be held on December 22, at the Covington Aquatic Center. 

Come support the fellow bears as they battle it out this season!