One blaring beep. 

The swimmers spring from the starting blocks, arms and legs flexed forward, hands and feet outstretched, fingertips waiting for the touch of the ice cold water. Utilizing their quick reaction time, the Bowie swimmers hit the water first at their annual Bob Stallings Aggieland Invitational at Texas A&M University. 

The Bowie Swim & Dive team has practiced in the cold, frigid weather, representing the hard work and dedication the athletes pour into this sport. Their practices paid off when they competed against 25 schools across the state in the invitational and placed 4th for the boys team and 7th for the girls team. 

Bowie Swim added 14 new freshmen to their roster, who have already started leaving their marks on the team.

“I’m really enjoying being a part of the team so far,” freshman Audri Harris said. “We have a lot of team chemistry and I feel like everyone has really close relationships with each other. It’s important for us to maintain a strong connection because that is how we grow as one unit together,” Harris said.

Another freshman, Rowan Cox, is also enjoying his first few months on the Swim Team.

“The team is a good community where I can talk to people that share the same interest with me,” Cox said. A lot of my teammates I knew previously because we went to school together, so I feel pretty comfortable with them.”

Bowie Swim has one of the most successful seasons yet, placing in the top 5 overall in their previous invitational meets. The team continues to put effort into their craft to prepare for the most critical upcoming meets such as TISCA (Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association) as well as the UIL 6A Swim Championships to finish out their season. As the team sets its sights on the upcoming meets, some swimmers set goals for themselves in their events. 

“I have a good shot at winning the UIL State Championship for the first year in the 100m butterfly. We also can win some relays too, as we have some really good teams lined up,” Cox said.

Audri Harris is working on dropping some time in some of her main events.

“I want to drop time on my 100m butterfly as well as on my 200m IM (Individual Medley),” Harris said. “Those are my favorite events and I always aim to keep breaking my personal records.”   

The swimmers also have rituals and superstitions before and after their events. 

“My favorite thing to do before events is stretch and loosen up so I don’t get cramps while I’m swimming,” Harris said. “I also enjoy eating my favorite snack along with some electrolytes to give me energy.”

Sophomore Zach Ferguson prefers to focus on warm ups before his races. 

“For me, warming up with a quick set before my race is crucial to my performance,” Ferguson said. “Talking with my teammates and giving and receiving pep talks also helps me ease my nerves.”

Bowie has had a long and prosperous season so far, and look to continue their prosperity in the postseason. 

“I’m really excited for the rest of the season,” Harris said. “This team is like my family and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together.”