This year’s swimming and diving team is diving back into the pool and looking to repeat the success from the last 20 years. Winning state 13 times since 2010, the team is looking forward to continuing this tradition of winning.
“It’s always fun to win,” said Coach Tom Beck. “Watching the guys bring home a trophy, that’s fun and being able to know that we are having a positive impact on the school and something the school can be proud of.”
Despite losing a strong 2024 class, senior Ryan Mendlick hopes to continue the success that the program has had. But, this year might be tough for the Junior Jays as Lincoln East is looking to challenge the Junior Jays.
“Apart from freshman year this is the first year where I’ve been like, you know, we may lose,” Mendlick said. “I’m focused on myself and I want to swim fast but the goal is to be the best leader I can and try to leave something here.”
Mendlick, who’s committed to Boston College, is trying to leave his own legacy and print at Prep. Whether that be winning a third state championship or helping out his younger teammates.
“As an underclassmen there were so many older guys who were just better than me and as I got older I kind of realized from that how much goes into winning a state championship,” Mendlick said. “I just want to help the younger guys and try to swim as fast as I can.”
With talent in every event, the seniors seem to be the backbone of the team, like Ryan but also some of his teammates like Austin Lewis and Evan Niemeyer.
“We got guys like Evan Niemeyer who’s a returning champion and Austin Lewis who is one of the top mid distance freestylers,” Beck said. “You also have someone like Cam Newton, one of the most spirited guys in the entire building.”
Prep’s diving team is looking just as strong with two juniors leading the way in Parker Dvorak and Tommy Lampert.
“They look really good. Parker is coming off qualifying for state last year,” Beck said. “And Tommy is a gymnast who we finally got to come and try out diving, so they look pretty good.”
With returning champions and eight returning seniors the Junior Jays are hoping to make a strong push towards state in March.
“I think that it will be a good year, if we are all on the same page and supporting each other it should be good,” Beck said.
