On January 31st, Central’s swim team left for Butte and then Missoula for a meet the very next day. This Butte-Missoula swim trip is always a treat for the swim team because it is their only overnight trip of the season, and their last seasonal meet. Many swimmers say that it is their favorite meet and a good team-bonding meet. Although it is a very tiring weekend for the swimmers, the meet is something they look forward to every season.
While it remains a special meet for all the swimmers, it is a very special meet for the seniors because it is their last seasonal meet of their high school career. Due to this, the team makes an effort to make it their most memorable meet. The boy’s captain, Daniel Apostol, had great things to say about how the trip went this year. “I personally really enjoyed the trip this year because it is one of our only overnight trips we have for the whole season. Although some people were tired and getting sick, we still had lots of fun in each other’s company,” he stated. As this trip is in the winter time, illness is always a factor, but, as Apostol said, it remains a great team bonding trip for everyone amidst the struggles.
The girl’s captain and senior, Kelly Early, also expressed her enjoyment of the trip this year and in past years. She stated that even though the bus rides are long, that they are one of the best parts of the trip due to the socialization among the team. Considering how many freshmen joined the team this year, Early also explained, “It’s cool to see the freshmen being able to experience an overnight trip like that for the first time.” The trip gave freshmen their first real experience of quality time with the swim team, and it gave them a real taste of what the community and family-aspect of the team is like. As a four-year Central swimmer and captain, Early reflected, “It’s fun to see how the team builds each year when we spend a lot of time with each other, so that’s been fun to see over the past four years.” As Early explained, the Butte-Missoula trip is for the team to build and grow because of the great quality time they have over the course of the trip. It also prepares them and unites them for the coming weekend of State Swimming.
As Central closed out their swim season, the trip provided a last and memorable meet for all swimmers, especially the seniors. It was a great experience for the swimmers this year and many felt that the Butte-Missoula trip was their favorite meet. The team, as a whole, has grown together throughout the season, and the Butte-Missoula meet helped the team to unite and prepare to take on State. With this year’s great coaches and captains of the team, Central’s 2024-2025 swim team will remember this year and celebrate.
