CMHS should bring back the swim team

By Emely Anaya Ortiz

Opinions Editor

In 2019, Crete Monee High School removed the girls’ varsity swim team, leaving many students with mixed opinions on whether the school should bring the team back. 

The last time CMHS had a swim team was in 2019. Photo courtesy of former swim coach and CMHS teacher, Allison Lewandowski.

“I feel swimming is like any other sport, so if other athletes can maintain their grades to stay on the team, then it will encourage students who like swimming to keep their grades up as well,” Sophomore Christina Hicks said.

Students believe that adding a swim team to the high school will encourage certain students who favor swimming over other sports that the school offers to maintain their grades and stay on the team.

“Certain people who pay for swimming lessons or want to learn how to swim could just join the team and learn how to swim instead,” Junior Elijah Clemons said.

Many students who enjoy swimming believe it would be more beneficial to have a swim team offered at the high school rather than paying for swim lessons outside of school.

“I think a lot of people would join in college because you can get a scholarship for that, and students will want to join swimming for that scholarship,” Freshman Ethan Dudley said.

Adding the swim team back to the school would open up scholarship opportunities for students who aspire to become professional swimmers or join swimming programs in college.

“It would bring in more students and transfer students,” Junior Caedman Vanderhoogt said.

Students believe bringing back the swim team would attract or encourage more high school students looking forward to joining a swim team.

“Swimming would give people an opportunity to play another sport if their sport is later on in the year,” Sophomore Bryce Milburn said.

Many students involved in the school’s sports believe it would be beneficial to add the swim team, especially when their preferred sport is not in season, leaving them without opportunities for involvement. 

“We’ve been trying to fill it for years. The problem is they haven’t been able to get a coach. Secondly, the other problem is the pool; they’d have to borrow the one at Governor State,” Mr. Myers said. “ “I“do believe a lot of student would join. They ask about it all the time.”

According to Myers, many students are interested in joining swimming, but the main challenges are finding a swim coach and a suitable location for the high school.