In the 2019-2020 swim season, the girls relay swim team secured its place as the fastest in Illinois. Reflecting on a triumphant season and looking towards the state swim meet, the Mustangs are ready to tackle what lies ahead.

At the beginning of the season, the swim team took a methodical approach in how it would improve from prior years. Coach Bryan Szweda elaborated on what his plan was for the swimmers and how to be successful in their competition season.

“The goal is to always have everyone go lifetime best times, win conference and hopefully score some points at state,” Szweda said.

However, the Mustangs were not without their share of challenges. Half of the relay team had preexisting injuries that affect them in their practices. Sophomore Audrey Mahoney, the youngest member of the relay team, considers her hip injury to be one of her biggest setbacks.

“I have to say being injured from last year and going into this year was really challenging, so I constantly keep pushing through it,” Mahoney said.

In their last meet of the season, the Trojan Invitational, the Mustangs took home a win, securing their state times in the process. The relay team, consisting of Audrey Mahoney, Madeline Padavic, Melanie Scheiblein and Jorie Selig, set two meet records in the 200 free relay and the 200 medley relay.

Senior Melanie Scheiblein has also had a successful individual season. She earned first place in the 100 breaststroke at the North invite while setting a new meet record. Scheiblein reflected on what her victories mean to her.

“My goal for this year is to make the top twelve at state for the 100 breaststroke. I’ve already gone faster than the state cut, so hopefully I can go fast to qualify in the top 12,” Scheiblein said.

Junior Madeline Padavic shared her success as well, both personally and with her relay team. She set a new school record at the Trojan invite for the 100 backstroke with a time of 53.68 and explained her excitement about her improvement.

“We wanted to do better than we did last year in the 200 free relay and we’re already seated first in the state. I’ve already qualified for the 100 fly, I just have to swim it at sectionals,” Padavic said.

As the season comes to a close, a sense of nostalgia is present amongst the team. After her final swim season with the DGS team, Senior Jorie Selig reflected back on her experience as she looks on to state.

“I’m going to miss my teammates the most. We’ve had our ups and downs, but overall we’re really close. The coaches are just fantastic, such an inspiration every day,” Selig said.

The DGS Mustangs have fostered an environment of teamwork throughout their 2019-2020 season, working hard while celebrating in their victories. With the anticipation leading up to state, Szweda leaves his swimmers with some advice to take with them into the meet.

“Swim fast, work hard, have a positive attitude. If you do that every day, you’ll definitely do your best,” Szweda said.