By Sergio Lopez, Staff Writer
Throughout the 2024-2025 season, Northwood swimmers trained and competed to prepare for the state swimming competition. Led by an experienced group of senior swimmers, the team experienced success at the conference, regional, and state level..
“Our main goal is mostly to have fun, and work with the team” senior and former state champion Abby Emrich said. Along with being highly competitive, the swimmers also enjoyed a strong team environment.
This team of Northwood swimmers have set the school records and won state titles. Emrich finished second place in the 100 yard backstroke, and second in the 200 yard freestyle. Senior Holly Thesing placed eighth in the 500 yard freestyle and eighth place in the 200 yard freestyle. Senior Jesse Sikes finished second in the 50 yard freestyle and third place in the 500 yard freestyle in the conference competition.
“Fun fact, it was my first time doing the 500 yard freestyle,” Sikes said of his regional competition performance. “I did it for fun and still got 3rd place.”
Regional competitions were held at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, and the state competition was hosted at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary.
With their senior season behind them, the swimmers are looking to the future with different expectations.
Emrich will be joining the swim team at William and Mary.
“I’m going to be swimming in college,” Emrich said. “I got recruited for my 200 freestyle, but I will be doing other events, too.”
“I would like to keep swimming but doing it for fun; I plan to get into swim clubs.” Thesing said.
“I think I will continue but not on the varsity level,” Sikes said. “I would like to join swim clubs in college but mostly for fun.”
