The WHS girls swim and dive team held its senior celebration on Jan. 16 during the final dual meet against Fossil Ridge High School. The celebration took place between the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly at 6 p.m.
The whole team looked forward to senior night. “It’s one of my favorite nights of the season,” head coach Erin Sloan said.
This year’s WHS seniors are Sienna Hawbaker (12), Kylie Farris (12) and Kayla Knifong (12) and the Severance High School seniors are Julie Abbott (12) and Ella Sekerak (12). Hawbaker and Knifong will be continuing their competitive swimming careers at the University of Wyoming and Western Colorado University, respectively.
“They’re just such good positive role models and super cool and strong and encouraging, and it’s going to be really hard not to have them on the team next year,” Lillian Alexander (10) said.
“The seniors are a wonderful leadership source. They come to practice every day being positive,” Sloan said. “Sienna is always a driving force at meets and at practice … Kayla made her first state cut her sophomore year and has driven all the way through …. Kylie is such a bubbly person that comes into practice every day, and she works super, super hard.”
All the seniors had kind and encouraging words to share while they were being honored.
“Time moves pretty fast, so soak up every moment and make the most out of everything you do,” Knifong said. Knifong swam the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke.
In addition, Farris said, “Try to get to know everyone you can, even the intimidating swimmers. They can be some of the best people you’ll ever know.” Farris competed in the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke.
The meet’s final score had Fossil Ridge up at 103-82. The meet marked the final dual meet of the 2024-2025 season as well as the last home meet.
“I had a lot of fun (at senior night). I swam a best time … so that was really cool,” Farris said. “My whole family came and I had a big support system there which was really nice.”
Conference will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at Mountain View Aquatics Center. All swimmers will attend Jan. 31 for preliminaries and some will continue on to finals on Feb. 1.
“The swim meets are where (the seniors) shine the most,” Alexander said. “All of the times that they’re at our swim meets, they’re swimming and they’re doing their best, and they’re always encouraging us to do our best as well.”
