by Emily Murphy

When Mr. Morrison, Woodbridge High School’s English as a Second Language teacher, assumed the position of head swim coach this season, not only did he provide the team with new leadership, but he brought to the team a newfound sense of ambition and improvement.

The new coach has had a great impact on the team’s overall confidence and determination, which junior captain Nicole Pangiochi said has helped the team in practice and competition. “The new coach has not only made me enjoy the sport more, he has brought the team together and [we have] improved on our record from last year,” she said.

The team’s record last year was three wins and seven losses. This year, Coach Morrison, along with every dedicated swimmer, plan to continue their improvement.

“My goal is for the team to do the best they can. That is usually what I tell the team before a meet. I remind them to have fun and to work hard,” Coach Morrison said.

That commitment to improvement is Pangiochi’s main focus as a captain. She said her goal is to motivate her team to do the best that they can while improving on their times.

Similarly, senior co-captain Matthew Martinez is looking to gel as a team through a shared work ethic. His goal is to “watch my teammates improve and for them to gain the trust and respect from their teammates,” he said.

Fueled by their love of the sport, the team is beginning to come together, according to junior Jean Orrego. “I’ve always watched, on TV, the Olympic athletes swim so fast, and I watched them rely on each other to win,” he said. “I always wanted to be one of those guys that my team could rely on.”

Through a sense of teamwork and a commitment to improvement, the program is looking toward the future with newfound optimism, and the school’s Athletic Director, Mr. Ward, is proud of what he’s seeing. “I’m always happy to see any program improve or experience success. The swim team works hard and practices early mornings, so they deserve it,” he said.

For now, no matter the record, Morrison and his team are happy with the foundation they have built. “Sometimes, it isn’t all about winning,” Coach Morrison said, “it is also about working hard and doing their best.”