Watauga Swimmers Use Hardwork and Dedication To Break School Record Twice

(Left to right) Athena Elliott, Addie Wilson, Tessa Buchanan, and Maggie Cheves. Photo Credits: Coach David Gragg 

Rebecca Billette, Junior Editor and News Desk Lead

The Watauga High School Swim Team has been putting in incredible amounts of effort this season. Four swimmers, Athena Elliott, Addie Wilson, Tessa Buchanan and Maggie Cheves, have turned their hard work into a lasting legacy in the form of a new school record. The girls competed at regionals on February 1 in the 200 free relay, and placed high enough to move on to the state competition. 

“Tessa, Addie, Maggie, and I were able to break our school record for the 200 free relay multiple times and take a relay to states for the first time in years,” said Elliott, junior. “We ended up making it to finals at states where we placed 12th. It is extremely difficult for swimmers to go to 4A states and even regionals. We are the most competitive region in the state, and have some of the best swimmers in the country, specifically in the Charlotte area.”

This was the first time a relay team from Watauga had advanced to the state level in two years. 

“Going to states meant we were now going to compete against elite high schools who can recruit the best swimmers and have even sent some to the Olympic trials,” said Wilson, sophomore.

The four girls not only made it to such an elite round of competition, but also set a new record at Watauga High School, of 1:40.33, at regionals, only to break it with 1:39.87 at states.

“It was super exciting to have a new team record, and then break it again only about a week later.” Elliott said, “The previous record was set by very talented and hardworking swimmers that I looked up to as a younger athlete, and still do today. So to know we were able to break it was just incredible.”

Breaking the school record allowed these four girls to place their mark on Watauga High School’s history for years to come. Their aim continues to be improving the team as a whole.

“For me, being an underclassman, it was super amazing to be putting my name in the record books and it made me super excited to see what we can achieve going forward,” said Wilson. “This has been such a fun experience and it’s shown me how talented our state is, but also how talented we as a high school are.”

This achievement was well deserved. Some incredible preparation and training went into the girls’ swimming, and they dedicated massive amounts of hard work and effort to be able to put their best foot forward in competition.

“All four of us have been training together for years, even way before high school, everyday, year round.” said Elliott, “We practice every day of the week, except Sunday, two hours a day, and during high school season go to school practice after that. We also lift three days a week before school.”

With nearly their entire week dedicated and determined to improve their swimming, it is remarkable, yet not surprising that the girls were able to accomplish this grand feat. 

It has been an encouraging and rewarding experience for Elliott, in particular.

“This experience has truly taught me that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to,” said Elliot. “I am so blessed to have had this amazing experience with some of my best friends and life-long teammates.”