Germantown girls swim and dive team wrapping up fall season
GERMANTOWN, Wis. — Germantown Girls Swim and Dive Head Coach Lori Bruss began with the team seven years ago, when there were only 18 total swimmers. 鈥淭his year, we have 36 members,鈥� she states, 鈥渁nd had more than 40 last year.鈥� Germantown did not have a pool between 2006 and 2018, so the girls had to practice at other schools/facilities around the area. 鈥淭his didn’t stop the team,鈥� shares Lori. 鈥淚n fact, it made them stronger and brought them closer together. Over the past few years, the girls have continued to do well in the WIAA Division 1 state meet. In 2017, they finished 26th. In 2018, they finished 13th; in 2019, 17th. In 2020, 6th, and, in 2021, 5th.鈥�
With the season coming to an end, the team is looking at the championship portion of the season. 鈥淥ur goal is to finish second in the conference, behind 2020 and 2021 State Champions Brookfield East, and looking to finish in the top six teams at the WIAA Division 1 state meet in November.鈥�
Already this year, both Kristina Wittmann and Fynn Langley have broken school records in diving 鈥� Fynn for 11 dives and Kristina for 6. The team is hoping to qualify the most events in school history at this year鈥檚 state meet.
鈥�As a team, this special group of young ladies set some big goals at the beginning of the season,鈥� shares Lori, 鈥渁nd have worked hard and stayed focused all season to accomplish them. They are all looking forward to seeing how their hard work pays off in the final weeks of the season.鈥�
The team has four captions 鈥� three swimmers and one diver: Abby Bruss, Emma Jacobson, Sophia Johnson and Kristina Wittmann. 鈥淭hese ladies were chosen by their teammates as captains. They are the leaders on the team and the glue that helps keep the team together. They not only lead by example but support the entire team both in and out of the pool. They are an integral part of our team.鈥�
The team is always looking for new members. At the beginning of the season (in August), the team has a summer get together, so everyone has the chance to get to know each other. Additionally, the girls have big/little sisters, where an older swimmer/diver pairs up with a younger swimmer/diver for the season.
The team looks forward to pasta parties the night before every meet. They are an opportunity for the girls to come together for some team bonding outside of the pool, as well as carb up for the meet the following day.
The team celebrates the success of both the team and its individual members. 鈥淎fter every meet, the captains award ‘honorary water bottles,’ filled with pool water from the pool they competed in, to a few swimmers/divers, who they felt either had a great meet or contributed to the team’s win through their actions and support,鈥� explains Lori. 鈥淭hey also look forward to some rewards at practice for their success, like water polo, game time, float time, partner kicking or getting out of practice early.鈥�
Lori adds: 鈥淚 am lucky to be a part of this amazing team of young women. They truly are a special group of girls. They come to practice ready to put the hard work in and give their best. They not only inspire each other but inspire me as well. To watch them reach their goals is a true joy. If you are in middle school and know how to swim or are interested in diving, please consider joining the Germantown Girls Swim and Dive 罢别补尘.鈥�
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