Photo by Kiera Classen

On Wednesday, January 18^th, the girls’ swim team competed against their rivals George Washington and Lincoln, coming in second place behind GW.  Although the girls didn’t win the meet, their coach still has good things to say about them.  “Everyone swam very well and we were prepared and professional,” said Head Coach Cindy Allen.  “They showed great integrity.”

A few days later, the girls swam in the Fountain Fort Carson Invite.  They came in 14^th out of 18 teams, but not all of their victories showed up in their score.  “It was a new meet and many of the girls bettered their times by three or more seconds,” said Allen.  Sophomore Sarah Orr improved her backstroke time from 123.43 seconds to 120.11 seconds, Junior Juliana Alford got 1^st place in the 100-breast stroke, and Freshman Angelica Hawley got 3^rd place in her heat in the 100 freestyle race.
Lastly, on Wednesday, January 25^th, the girls had a quad meet against West, South, and North.  The meet was held at North High School.  The girls came in second place behind South and beat West and North.  “The girls were nervous and quad meets are always hectic in a small area, but they swam really well and they stepped up and made me proud,” said Allen.  “They worked as team and were willing to make changes for their team.”

Wednesday 12/7 DPS Girls Relay Meet @Manual 4:15 p.m. (5^th Place)
Wednesday 12/14 Montbello/East @Manual 4:15 p.m. (2^nd Place)
Friday 12/16 Harrison @TJ 4:15 p.m. (1^st Place)
Saturday 1/7 Valor Invite @Colorado School of Mines 12:00 p.m. (16^th Place)
Wednesday 1/18 George Washington/Lincoln @TJ 4:15 p.m. (2^nd Place)
Saturday 1/21 Fountain Ft. Carson Invite @Fountain Ft. Carson 9:00 a.m. (14^th Place)
Wednesday 1/25 West/South/North @North 4:15 p.m. (2^nd place)
Saturday 1/28 DPS B Meet @Manual
Friday 2/3 DPS Girls League Swim Prelims @Manual 4:15p.m.
Saturday 2/4 DPS Girls League Swim/Dive Finals @Manual 9:00a.m

Photo by Kiera Classen

Before the well-deserved break, the girls’ swim team competed in two meets—Montbello/East and Harrison—and one meet after the break in the Valor Invite.

The Montbello and East meet was on December 14^th and the Lady Swimmers took second place.  East came in first place and Montbello came in third place.  “We went to East and we had a good meet and swam well.  The girls were prepared and confident,” said Head Coach Cindy Allen.

Swimmer and Junior Rachel Uyemura agreed with her coach.  “Besides the DPS relay, it was our first real meet and we did pretty well.  East had a lot more girls but we put up a good fight.”

Two days later, the girls swam against Harrison High School at home.  “Harrison is a great team and we were equally paired in ability,” said Allen.  The girls came out on top and earned first place.  “It was a fun meet and there was good sportsmanship.”

Lastly, the girls competed in the Valor Invitational swim meet on January 7th.  Out of 24 teams, the Lady Swimmers placed 16^th.  The meet took place at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.  “The Valor Invite is always hard because it is such a small facility and there are so many teams and I think that affects the girls’ performance,” said Allen.  Although it may be challenging, Coach also has her reasons for participating in the invite. “I like to go to the Valor invite so our athletes can see what other athletes around Colorado are like.  I also like that it is at a college and the girls get to experience the workout facility,” said Allen.

The Lady Swimmers will have their next meet on Wednesday, January 18^th.  They will be competing against their rivals at George Washington and Lincoln.  Uyemura believes it will be a good meet.  “We should be evenly matched with Lincoln, but I’m expecting GW to bring their all.  GW is always really competitive.”

Wednesday 12/7 DPS Girls Relay Meet @Manual 4:15 p.m. (5th Place)

Wednesday 12/14 Montbello/East @Manual 4:15 p.m. (2^nd Place)

Friday 12/16 Harrison @TJ 4:15 p.m. (1^st Place)

Saturday 1/7 Valor Invite @Colorado School of Mines 12:00 p.m. (16^th Place)

Wednesday 1/18 George Washington/Lincoln @TJ 4:15 p.m.

Saturday 1/21 Fountain Ft. Carson Invite @Fountain Ft. Carson 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday 1/25 West/South/North @North 4:15 p.m.

Saturday 1/28 DPS B Meet @Manual

Friday 2/3 DPS Girls League Swim Prelims @Manual 4:15p.m.

Saturday 2/4 DPS Girls League Swim/Dive Finals @Manual 9:00a.m

Photo by Kiera Classen

On Wednesday, December 7th, the Girls’ Swim team had their first meet of the season at Manual High School in the DPS Relay Meet.

“Even though it was our first meet, we had a lot of good effort. We still have a lot to work on, but I see improvement already,” said Junior Rachel Uyemura, who believes first meets are always hard.

The girls took fifth place of the seven teams competing. “We did really well for our first meet, and many of the girls bettered their times,” Head Coach Cindy Allen states. “We also did well considering we were the smallest team there.” The opponents consisted of George Washington, East, North, West, South, Montbello, and Lincoln. There were seven events swam and three heats. The heats allow all fairness among all of he swimmers. The heats range from the slowest times to the fastest time, and swimmers are put into their designated heat according to their time.

The next meet the girls will have will be against Montbello and East on December 14th at Manual High School. “This coming meet, it is going to have a lot more individual races, so we look forward to seeing what our swimmers are capable of,” said Uyemura.

Allen says she is looking forward to their next meet. “I’m hoping the girls will better their times from their past meet, and gain more confidence in their racing times.” The meet will begin at 4:15, so be sure to support the girls’ swim team.

Wednesday 12/7 DPS Girls Relay Meet @Manual 4:15 p.m. (5th Place)

Wednesday 12/14 Montbello/East @Manual 4:15 p.m.

Friday 12/16 Harrison @TJ 4:15 p.m.

Saturday 1/7 Valor Invite @Colorado School of Mines 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday 1/18 George Washington/Lincoln @TJ 4:15 p.m.

Saturday 1/21 Fountain Ft. Carson Invite @Fountain Ft. Carson 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday 1/25 West/South/North @North 4:15 p.m.

Saturday 1/28 DPS B Meet @Manual

Friday 2/3 DPS Girls League Swim Prelims @Manual 4:15p.m.

Saturday 2/4 DPS Girls League Swim/Dive Finals @Manual 9:00a.m

Photo by Kiera Classen

This winter, the Thomas Jefferson Girls’ Swim Team will be preparing for another successful season.

Head Coach Cindy Allen will direct the girls and train them to swim the best they can, and is jubilant towards the season. “The beginning of the season is fun because it’s great to see new and returning faces and to see their excitement.”

The swimmers are also excited for the season to start. “Even though we lost a lot of seniors, the team is still looking good and we have a lot of time to grow before the season starts,” said Junior Rachel Uyemura who has been swimming with TJ since her freshman year. This year, the Lady Swimmers have only one senior, Kiera Classen, who has also been an asset to the team since her freshman year.

Coach Allen says that this year is different from previous years due to their lack of swimmers. “Our numbers are down this year and there was a steady drop off. I’m surprised that more girls don’t want to swim.” Allen describes how the team has great chemistry and everyone is very mellow. They are still looking for girls to be on the team. For anyone interested, they meet everyday at the pool, except on Wednesdays, and they have morning workouts a three times a week. “Wednesday is a day off so they can get whatever they need to get done without missing practice. It usually cuts down on the absences during the week,” says Allen.

The goals for the swim team have been through many changes through the years. “This year, our goal is to get more sophomore and freshmen. It can be tough with not many underclassmen.” Allen believes that any sport is good for freshmen to meet new people. “Some girls don’t want to do swimming because they don’t want to mess up their hair before school, but there is a whole group of girls who are going though the same thing. They just need to try something different.”

The past few years the swimmers have done well in the city meets. They want to keep their success going through this year and continue on into the future. “I think we will do well like every year,” said Uyemura.

The girls have their first meet on Wednesday, December 7th at Manual High School. It is the DPS Girls Relay Meet, so go out and show them your support.

Wednesday 12/7 DPS Girls Relay Meet @Manual 4:15 p.m.

Wednesday 12/14 Montbello/East @Manual 4:15 p.m.

Friday 12/16 Harrison @TJ 4:15 p.m.

Saturday 1/7 Valor Invite @Colorado School of Mines 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday 1/18 George Washington/Lincoln @TJ 4:15 p.m.

Saturday 1/21 Fountain Ft. Carson Invite @Fountain Ft. Carson 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday 1/25 West/South/North @North 4:15 p.m.

Saturday 1/28 DPS B Meet @Manual

Friday 2/3 DPS Girls League Swim Prelims @Manual 4:15p.m.

Saturday 2/4 DPS Girls League Swim/Dive Finals @Manual 9:00a.m

Photo by Mia Nogueira

Last weekend the TJ Girls’ Swim and Dive team traveled to Manual High School to take place in the DPS League Meet, placing 4^th overall along with several impressive individual scores.

On Friday, February 4^th, the Lady Spartans prepared themselves for Prelims at Manual High, doing well and qualifying for the city meet.  At 9:00 a.m. the following day, the girls made their way to Manual once more for the DPS League Swim and Dive Meet Finals.  The girls did exceptionally well, with TJ placing 4^th overall in the entire city.

Individually, some girls managed to place highly, as well.  Seniors Melissa Acker, Anna Becker, and Sophomores Rachel Uyumera and Izze Cohen took 3^rd place in the 200 Free Relay, while Sophomore Staci Gentala also took 3^rd in diving.  TJ also had several 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th place finishes.  Those who placed in their second heats, including the 200 Free Relay team and Staci Gentala, were announced to the crowd and got a special entrance into the meet.

“It was a great way to end the season for us. I think we all swam our best and I’m happy with how the season turned out,” said Acker.

Photo by Mia Nogueira

On Wednesday, January 26^th, the Girls’ Swim Team hosted a quad-meet here at TJ against West, North, and South High Schools, resulting in a successful night for the Spartans, as they beat out all three schools with a score of 409.

Individually, the girls all contributed to earning the ‘W.’ Senior Anna Becker placed 2^nd in the 50 Free, Sophomore Rachel Uyemera placed 2^nd in the 500 Free, and Juliana Alford placed 3^rd.  In the 100 Breast, Junior Kiera Classen placed 1^st and Freshman Tatiana Gerlits came in 2^nd.  Sarah Orr came in 2^nd place in the 100 Backstroke, and TJ managed to place 2^nd overall in the 400 Free.  “I think that we worked really well together.  We had a lot of team spirit, which definitely helped us win!” said Uyemera.

Wednesday was also Senior Day, which recognized the great leadership that each of the seniors on the team possess.  Anna Becker, Melissa Acker, Esther Turicos, Andrea Rodriguez, and Yani Andrianakos were all acknowledged for their great leadership skills.

Although this was the Lady Spartans’ last meet at home, there are still a few more meets to go.  This Saturday the girls will travel to Manual High School at 9:00 a.m.  Be sure to get out there and help the girls come home with another victory!

Photo by Mia Nogueira

On Wednesday, January 19^th, the Girls’ Swim Team traveled to George Washington High School, participating in a Tri-meet against GW and Lincoln, losing to GW 75-27, but coming out on top against Lincoln with a score of 68-31.

It was a rather successful day for the Spartan Swimmers, as they did well both individually and as a team.  Not only did TJ’s scores surpass Lincoln’s, but Senior Melissa Acker placed 1^st in the 100 Free, and Sophomore Staci Gentala placed 1^st in diving.  Sarah Orr, Tatianna Gerlits, Kiera Classen, and Anna Becker swam the Medley Relay, taking 2^nd place.  Rachel Uyemura, Izzy Cohen, Melissa Acker and Anna Becker also took 2^nd in the 200 Free Relay.

“We all swam really well.  I was pretty satisfied with how we all did, especially individually.  I’m excited for us to continue to develop as a team and keep doing better individually, as well,” said Acker.  It was a successful day for the Spartans.

The next meet will take place next Wednesday, January 26^th, right here at TJ at 4:15 in a quad meet against West, North and South High Schools.  It is the girls’ first home meet, so be sure to head over to the pool and help the girls swim their way to victory!

Photo by Mia Nogueira

On Saturday, January 8^th, the Lady Spartan Swimmers traveled to the Colorado School of Mines for the Valor Swim & Dive Invite.  The girls did not end up placing; however, they did very well bettering their personal times and improving their overall performance.

The Valor Invite included some of the top swim teams in the state, giving the Lady Spartans quite the challenge.  “The girls did pretty well.  Everyone bettered their times and everyone set new personal records for themselves,” said Swim Coach Cindy Allen.

The following Friday and Saturday, the girls headed to Meyers Pool to attend the two-day Jeffco Swim and Dive Invite, resulting in success for the Lady Spartan Swimmers.  Junior Kiera Classen placed third in the 500, Freshman Tatianna Gerlits placed 8^th in the 50 Free, and Sarah Orr placed 7^th in the 100 Backstroke.  “Overall the team just continues to better their times, and grow as individual swimmers.  It was a really great meet for us,” said Allen.

The next swim meet will take place today at George Washington High School at 4:15.  Make sure to go out and support your Spartan Swimmers, TJ!

Photo by Mia Nogueira

On December 8th, Girl’s Swimming took their game to Manual, where they competed in their first DPS Rally Meet, taking fifth place out of nine competing teams. “We had a tough day to say the least,” said Head Coach Cindy Allen.

According to Allen, the first meet is always the hardest for a team. “Everyone was nervous and unsure; but they all gave their best effort,” said Allen. “There certainly weren’t any shooting stars, though.”

Allen also believes the first meet can be overwhelming to swimmers. “It was really loud, there were a lot of people, and just a ton of things going on at the same time,” said Allen. “After the first meet, I think everyone will be more aware of what they need to do to make adjustments.”

Ultimately, Allen hopes the results of the first meet will help raise the team’s competitive spirits. “I think it’ll get the fire under all of their belts,” laughed Allen. “Hopefully they gain that competitive spirit.”

The next swim meet will take place at TJ on December 15th. “I think we’ll have a lot of drive for this one,” said Allen. “It’ll be a tri-meet against East and Montbello. It’ll be different as well because every school gets only two lanes. I think we’re all very excited.”

Photo by Mia Nogueira

After a very successful previous year, winning third in city and having one swimmer go to state, the Spartan Swimmers are excitedly anticipating this upcoming season. “We have a great team, and we have a great chance of getting somewhere great,” said Head Coach Cindy Allen.

According to Allen, the team’s highest priority is to get new, fresh players to spice up the team. “We’re really trying to recruit freshmen,” said Allen. “But we’re also very happy with returning athletes. Anyone who’s interested in swimming or diving should check us out.”

One of the returning athletes this year is Senior Melissa Acker, who is seen as a leader among her team and coach. “Melissa has been a great role model,” said Allen. “She’s just a natural leader.”

Along with making it to state, Allen believes the team’s expectations are higher than simply improving athletes’ performance in the pool. “We really focus our program on building self-esteem and responsible members of the community,” said Allen. “We do this by being very strict about being on time, and making sure students are always dedicated to the team.”

This season, Allen expects a wide range of challenges for TJ. “Our main competitors are East and George Washington,” said Allen. “We always have tough a time with those schools. I think it’s mainly because they have higher enrollment, and more club swimmers. West and South are also very competitive, and we always have very exciting matches against them.”

With a team of seasoned swimmers and experienced leaders, Allen anticipates the upcoming season. The team’s first meet will be a relay in which all DPS schools will attend, and will be on December 8th at Manual High School.