The Millard South Swim and Dive Team annually hosts one of the biggest meets of the season. The Millard South Invite features 21 teams from across the Omaha area. The meet serves as the biggest fundraiser and helps fund the swim and dive program. However, twenty-one schools in one pool and one gym is a tough feat, for swimmers and for coaches.
Unlike a normal dual that lasts around two to two and a half hours, the Millard South Invite lasts from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This extraordinarily long meet contains around 30-60 swimmers in each event, making the wait for the next event tedious and stressful. So, how does the Millard South team do it?
Preparation begins days before. Swimmers who are not competing in the meet and parents volunteer for tasks to help run the event smoothly. Timers monitor and track races, and other volunteers run concessions in the South Gym.
“Its a lot of fun and I get to talk with other swimmers from other schools and talk with partners on the team,” parent volunteer Candace Hanway said.
“We have a good idea on how it needs to be run; we get a lot of positive feedback from parents,” Hanway said.
For the swimmers who are swimming, the time to be there is early, even before the first wave of schools comes in. Around 7:30, Millard South swimmers take the opportunity to bring mats and lay them on the floor as a way to make themselves more comfortable and get changed into suits.
“My favorite part of the meet was attempting to get tech suits on people, including me, in the locker room. I liked the environment because the energy was up and a lot of people were excited to race,” sophomore Macy Hicks said.
As the three separate warm-ups start to end, the actual meet starts two hours after the swimmers were told to initially warm up. Swimmers start to get themselves mentally prepared for this long meet ahead. Most use the meeting as a chance to get the state cuts to have eligibility.
However, the stress and built-up anxiety can make or break this week. To swimmers who have already swum, it’s one of the last chances to get a cut for the state. With all this tension, it can make this meet a nightmare with over 200 swimmers all over the pool.
“The invite was a little stressful since there were so many people. I enjoyed seeing all of my friends from the different teams. It’s the best when they play music, and everyone gets hype,” sophomore Skylar Wiechman said.
For freshmen, it’s a whole new experience. From competing at a club to a high school level, it’s the beginning step to the high school chaos.
“It’s a little crowded at times, but I enjoyed every bit of it, and I’m excited for next year, especially hanging out with people from other teams,” freshman Kayleigh Ragget said.
So the meet begins, and as eight hours of swimming have ended, the meet officially closes off. The day had allowed for multiple opportunities and endless opportunities. All that is left is to wait for next year.
