Winter is upon us, snow has fallen, the temperatures are dropping, and everyone is in the holiday spirit—which means it is the start of the Bobcat swim and dive season!

The Beaver Area swimmers and divers finished up their temporary use of the Moon Area High School pool November 2, just in time for the start of mandatory winter sports practices.

Junior swimmer Ella Andrew stated that “I hope to actually move forward when I do breaststroke,” about the upcoming season.

Over the last several months, Beaver Area’s indoor pool was partially renovated and is in much better condition for the swim and dive team to hopefully have a winning season.

The pool has a new and improved filtration system as well as the main wall being painted white making the entire area much lighter and overall more lively.

Freshman diver Haley O’Brien stated about the renovations that “It’s really nice (I wish they would have given us a new [diving] board though).”

In order to bolster numbers, the returning Bobcat swim team members tried to recruit as many new swimmers as possible resulting in a nice-sized team who will all hopefully help the team win extra points.

In the past the Bobcats have struggled to win meets based on the size of the team and the overall struggle to put swimmers on the blocks, but no matter the size, the team always has a strong bond in and out of the water.

Andrew also explained that “I like how the team doesn’t ever give up, and they don’t try to shortcut the work.”

The swimmers have a very positive mindset for this season and hope to win as many meets as possible.

The first Beaver Area swim meet will be away at Seton-La Salle December 14.

The first home meet will be December 22 against Quaker Valley for anyone who wants to help cheer on the Bobcat swimmers as well as the four divers.

O’Brien explained that diving is her “favorite sport. I love it, and I really like that diving is right after school.”

The swim season will span well into February with the championship WPIAL and PIAA meets after the regular season (date TBA).

The team will vote on the 2021/2022 season team captains next week, and there will most likely be two female captains and two male captains.

The swim team is led by Coach Marc Williams for the fourth year with new assistant coach Jason Bonnar helping the team become the best they can be.

Coach Christi Ringer still guides the swim team as a part time coach who helps when there is a coaching staff storage.

The dive team is directed by Coach Lydia Jacoby.