This article was written by Anayah Mendez-Chess
SPLASH! The new upperclassmen of the varsity girls swim team have paved the way for a successful 2025- 2026 season through practices and hard work.
The High School’s girls swim team has entered the season with a new wave of upperclassmen. New leadership is crucial for the Wildcats success this year. After graduating senior class of 13, the group of incoming upperclassmen swimmers need to step up and guide the team. The Northview Swim Program has been Top 3 in the state for the past several years, leaving a legacy that’s hard to live up too. Especially with a team far smaller in number and experience.
People may not expect Northview swim to stay competitive with smaller numbers, but they are a team with a plan. These swimmers and their coaches intend to be great again this year.
Sophomore Lexi Pepper is stepping into a new leadership role through dedication to the sport In order to continue the team’s success, Pepper didn’t stop at the close of last season.
“I’ve been training in the off season doing NKAT [ Northview’s own club team – North Kent Aquatic Team], year round to kind of just keep up my speed and continue working on technique,” Pepper said.
Similarly, Senior Erica Nuffer is stepping up in leadership by improving the confidence of herself and her teammates through the work she put in pre season.
“I honestly have done a lot of camps through Northview. I also usually travel and have club swimming in the summer, which keeps me in good shape and in a good spot for this season,” Nuffer said.
Head coach Rob Damuth, has been our Northview girls swim team for the past 25 years. He is seeking new ways to keep his team up to the competitive level it has been in past seasons. He’s found new tactics and strategies connected to a less crowded pool due to a smaller team.
“I’ve been teaching the flip turns since we have more space. It allows us to do new things like new drills that have helped and benefitted the inexperienced and the upperclassmen on the team to swim faster against tough competition in meets,” Damuth said.
Overall our girls swim team is working hard to be at the best spot they can be for this season. They are working hard as athletes to develop more skills to better themselves personally and for their team.
In the words of Nelson Mandela. “There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, there are no limits.” The Northview wildcat swimmers are busy proving their potential for success is limitless.
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