Moeller Swimming continues to improve as the season is about to come to an end. Most recently, the Swimming Crusaders came in third in the GCL, while battling injuries and having some fatigued swimmers. For those who don’t know, the swim team and diving team are two separate programs. Both teams are performing well, even though most of the events are based on individual competitors.

The swim team is extremely tight knit compared to other Moeller sports. With such a small roster, they have built brotherhood with one another and consider their teammates as family. In an interview with Barrett Cohen, head coach Bill Whatley says that a good amount of Crusaders have a chance to make a run at State. Jack Grandy, a breast stroker and 500 meter swimmer, Drew Held, a freestyler, Kevin Thibodeaux, a breast stroker, Noah Cunningham O’Donnell, a breast stroker, were all mentioned as viable contenders.

The swim and dive teams are held together by four first-class seniors: Kevin Thibodeaux, Gavin Osterday, Jack Garboden, and Jeff Shipley. First year swimming coach, Mr. Rob Vitolo, said, “We have strong leadership. They do a really good job at forming our core and help building that legacy.”

Jack Garboden says that he has made friendships that will last him a lifetime with people he didn’t even know before coming to Moeller. Jeff Shipley wants to keep the traditions of Moeller Swimming alive as he bonds with underclassmen on the team. All of these seniors are leaders and help the team as they are approaching the post-season.

The future of the program is also very bright. Freshman diver James Wolf placed 15th at Diving sectionals. Mr. Vitolo also said that the wwim team has a promising future with a strong group of sophomores, and freshman Noah Cunningham O’Donnell.

One individual in particular that is thriving in the water is Moeller Senior Gavin Osterday. He has won every meet with the exception of the Southwest Classic, which is regarded as the biggest swim and dive meet in the country, where he placed fifth out of two hundred qualifying divers. He placed second in the GCL this year. He placed second in sectionals for diving and he is looking to continue his success in districts to make a state run.

It is every team’s goal to make a state run, but with sports like swimming and diving, these guys represent the team. There are individual events that the team has no impact on. A team would not take a state championship trophy but the individual would win it for the program. So, these guys really cheer for each other when they are in the water because when one person does well, it looks good for the rest of the program.

In an interview with senior Kevin Thibodeaux he touches on his season as well as the rest of the team. “I have had a successful season so far. I did not swim last year because of football, but I am happy to be back in the pool. I am excited for the beginning of the post-season and am hoping to qualify in my individual events as well as help our relays make it to state.” He went on to say that the season has been good so far, the teammates have a great group of people who love to compete and it should be exciting to see how they perform in the state tournament.

The Ohio State Championship Competition is February 21-22. Jack Grandy, Kevin Thibodeaux, Drew Held, and Jack Garboden will be competing in the 400 meter freestyle. Gavin Osterday also qualified for the state competition.

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