Many sports teams have an Orange and Black scrimmage, but the girls swim team has an entire week dedicated to team bonding and ends the week off with an Orange and Black Intersquad meet.

“High school swimming brings a team aspect to a generally individual sport,” swim coach Christian Rhoten said, “Orange vs. Black week is a way for the team to grow closer.”

The Orange vs. Black week is held early in the season before the team’s first dual meet. The week involves multiple activities, including making posters for the Saturday intersquad meet, a belly flop competition and a scavenger hunt. 

The activities are incorporated into the team’s practices. Some days they do activities in the water, while other days they do workouts on land. 

“It’s a fun way to get all of the athletes to get to know one another and work together,” Rhoten said.

For sophomore Vivian Lu, working with her team and having fun was the main enjoyment.

“The events required all of us to work together in order to complete everything and the overall experience with all your friends is super exciting,” Lu said.

Lu’s favorite events were the scavenger hunt and decorating posters with her team, the Black team. 

This year’s team consists of six new swimmers and 11 returning Tigers.

“I’ve gotten to talk to and get closer with some of the newer members on the team,” Lu said.

For many of the new freshmen, the week was a great way to get comfortable with their new teammates. Even for the returning swimmers, it was a fun way to get to know the incoming freshman and get closer to the entire team.

“It was a good way to get to know the people on the team better,” senior Karis Chen said. “We are all closer now.”

Chen is returning for her fourth year as a Tiger. Chen placed first in the 100-meter breaststroke at sectionals last year and is ready for her senior year.

“I feel nervous but I’m excited to get to do it one more time,” Chen said.

The girls swim team ended their 23-24 season with 561.2 points for dual meets and 404.74 points for championship meets. The team also won their 10th straight sectional and earned four medals at state.

“We have a very talented team this year and have goals of being undefeated, winning the sectional meet, and placing top 10 as a team at the State Meet,” Rhoten said.

Chen said that while there was some pressure, she believed the team was in a good spot currently and is hopeful to win sectionals again.

Lu agreed that there was some nervousness among the team but that she is confident with how the team looks this year.

“I feel super excited and fantastic about this season, especially with all the talented people we have this year,” Lu said.

Lu is looking forward to heading to Chicago and sectionals and she is hopeful to make state for the 4×100 race.

“I’m really excited to see the great things that will happen,” Lu said.