The Lake Ridge Swim and Dive team competed at districts last Friday at the Mansfield ISD Natatorium. Both teams placed first in the boys and girls competitions; making Lake Ridge history.

The district competition is an intimidating meet. The swimmers felt the pressure, especially because of Lake Ridge’s dominance in the district competition in the past.

“Yeah, it can be pretty nerve wracking and feel like there’s a lot of pressure, especially when I’m expected to do well in an event,” said junior swimmer, Adam Kammaz.

However, others feel as if it isn’t something to be intimidated about at all.

“I normally don’t feel any pressure. I let loose and have fun because it’s the most important (thing). Lake Ridge has done very well in swimming the last few years, but as long as I know I do my best and my teammates do too, then we will be better than ever before,” says Kylie Sheppard, junior.

In spite of the pressure, the swimmers claim their coach keeps them motivated throughout the season.

“Coach just keeps on reminding us of all the hard work we’ve put in throughout the season and that it all comes down to the district meet. It’s really important, in my eyes, for us to continue to succeed as a team. We’ve done great so far and can only keep going up,” says Kammaz.

“Coach will always give us a reason to be motivated but the motivation has to come from within because coach can only motivate to a certain limit. The rest has to come from the swimmer,” says senior, Chris Morales.

The boys and girls teams performed well; winning the all-around district title.

“I fee as if I performed very well at districts. I had my best times for the season, not rested, so I should do very well at regionals and hopefully state too,” says Sheppard, who won the 100 back, 100 fly, and 400 free relay at district.

“I felt confident in my performance considering I wasn’t tapered (which means you’re rested) and all that mattered in this meet was to be top six in order to make it to regionals,” says Morales, who placed second in the 200 free relay.

In dive, 2015-2016 state champion Hunter Jaynes won the district title again on Friday, breaking his own personal record by 80 points.

“I’m not usually intimidated at meets. I know that if I focus and do my best, I’ll come out on top,” says Jaynes, junior.

The swim and dive teams are training hard and looking forward to regionals on February 3rd.