Losing seven seniors to graduation in 2016 may sound like an intimidating number when you are part of a team, but the girls swimming program at Washington Township High School still has high expectations for their winter 2016-2017 season.

So far, the girls have managed to tack up one win in three meets. They have defeated Gateway 114-54 but have fallen to Eastern, 97-73, and Rancocas Valley, 93-77.

“Our goal this year is to make the NJSIAA team tournament. We have been swimming faster at each meet and we hope to keep improving to make the top 8 in the Public A South Division,” said head coach Jessica Slates.

Slates has been the head coach of the girls swimming program for ten years. As a coach, she hopes to motivate her team and teach them life lessons about hard work, dedication, and commitment to themselves and to others.

“I hope that they take away from the season more than just what they did in the pool.” Slates said

The team practices at St. Matt’s Recreation Center. Their meets that are held throughout the winter sports season. The girls participate in various events during their meets such as 200 freestyle, 200 IM, 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, and many more.

“We have more depth in the freestyle events than last year. The team is very motivated to do their best and perform.” Slates said

As like most other sports teams at WTHS, the girls are encouraged to not only train in season, but also out of season as well.

“I encourage the girls to participate in fall, spring, and summer training programs and to also participate in activities and sports that can help keep their endurance up.” said Slates

Though, as Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success”, the team had to first come together to be as successful as they hope. A tradition the program has gained throughout its years of existence is a spirit stick and doing secret sisters. The girls swimming program also participates in various team bonding activities throughout the season. They try to host pasta parties, breakfasts, car washes, and other team outings.

“It is way to provide encouragement and motivation to each other.” said Slates

In the season ahead, the girls will be having a dual meet with the boy swimming program January 12 against Cherry Hill West. This meet will be their senior meet as well as their pink meet. The purposes and goal of the pink meet is to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

The girls swimming program at WTHS is going through a journey where they try to triumph over all their goals and accomplishments they hope to have this season. Their next meet will be held January 3 against Lenape at the Camden County Technical School.