In their first meet of the season back on Dec. 11, the swim and dive team did not get the start they were looking for. Swimming against Churchill, a long time rival, the boys team lost 72-100, and the girls lost 74-98. The meet, however, wasn’t exactly a fair representation of either team’s skill as many of the swimmers who swim for outside clubs were participating in a championship in Virginia.

Coach Jamie Grimes did acknowledge the athletes who did compete.

“I went in thinking hopefully we could do well and it was a good meet for the people that were there, we just didn’t have our full team,” he said.

Despite losing, the team did not forget its fighting spirit that they are known for and during the meet, WJ broke out into song, using vuvuzelas and drums to add to the beat. The team was still planning on doing much better in their next week.

“Next week we face Sherwood and hope to show off our full potential and skill with all of our seniors back,” said sophomore Michael Kirchner after the Churchill competition.

And on Dec. 18, WJ did succeed in their meet against Sherwood. The boys side dominated with a score of 122-49. Junior Garrett Powell finished first in the 200 yard freestyle and 100 yard backstroke events.  Even though the girls lost, it was still very close with a final result of 84-87.

“The whole team did really well, and I was overall very pleased with how the performances went,” said Grimes.

After coming back from break, WJ was looking forward to continue the same way they have been. On Jan. 8, they went to compete at the Division 1 Relay Carnival. The team came in fourth out of six teams  in what was a very close meet.

“We did pretty well. People were spirited and we swam fast and had fun,” said Grimes.

WJ took first and second in several events. Senior captain Jordan Ray, junior Garrett Powell and sophomores Chris Root and Barry Mangold took first in the boys 200 yard freestyle relay.

WJ’s next meet will be Friday, Jan. 14, at the Germantown Indoor Swim Center at 2:30 p.m.