By Jackie Latimer and Grace Green

Sophomore Marisa Papagelis joined the self-proclaimed “swim cult” this year and ended the season as an MVP and Mid-Wach all-star. Although the 16 year-old has been swimming for eight years now, basketball took priority last winter. Fellow teammates sophomore Louis Gencarelli and junior Rachel Shufflebarger joined Papagelis’ club swim team and convinced her to take part in the school team her sophomore year. It proved to be the right decision as she describes the team as “encouraging and inclusive.”
The girls’ team finished 14th at states and finished the regular season with six wins and five losses. Papagelis participated in the 100 free and 100 fly, which are of her two favorite events, as well as the 50 free and 100 back. She also took part in the 400 freestyle relay that broke the school record by over four seconds with a time of 3:48 at the league meet. Shufflebarger, freshman Jordan Connolly, and freshman Emma Kudej also took part in the record breaking relay.
Papagelis describes the team as “rowdy” and fun at meets and practices. Although she was nervous at first, she now says that her favorite part about swim is the people. The league meet relay was an exciting moment during the season. Papagelis was the anchor and even though she was not the first to dive in, she managed to pull ahead and win.
As for next year, Papagelis hopes for the girls’ team to have “more fun, get better, and place better at states.” She believes these goals are achievable considering none of the core swimmers are graduating and freshmen hopefuls will be joining the team. Through vigorous training during the off-season, including practicing six days a week for her club team, she believes this goal will be possible.
Also, participating in volleyball and swim club during the fall can be a hard balance. However, it is easier during the winter due to doubling up on school and club swim practices. If she has to miss a club practice for a school practice, it does not put her behind on her training.
Papagelis would like to swim after high school, yet she is unsure whether she’ll swim for college or stick to club.