Last year the Bowie swim team had difficulties with four different coaches through the year. This year however they have one single coach, Dean Lackey.
With coaching issues out of the way, the team has been able to focus more on their swimming. As a result of that, many of the Bowie swimmers and divers have placed at meets.
“It has been much better having only one coach this year. Our team was put under a lot of stress last year with many coaches, but this has made our new season a great one,” sophomore Brandon Crawford said.
Lackey spends the day juggling his jobs at Bowie and Reagan High.
“I stay very busy, which is how I like it,” Lackey said.
He considers the team captains, seniors Anissa Morales, Abby Meyer, Brian Jordan, and Zachary Cootes to be the backbone of the team.
“Their leadership has helped me tremendously,” Lackey said.
Cootes takes his leadership position very seriously.
“My job as captain is to lead everyone and be a role model for them,” Cootes said.
Aside from the team captains, Lackey appreciates the support he gets from various people in the community.
“Like last year, the Bowie Swim Team booster club has also been fantastic, helping me in every way possible,” Lackey said. “In addition, I’m grateful for the support of Jeff Ables, Bowie athletic director, and Ines Perez in our AISD Athletics.  With everyone involved, my part is easy.”
With such great support the swim team’s good season has paved their road to the district championship meet.
“This season has been unbelievable. I can’t wait to see what the rest of our season holds. We’re definitely gearing up for an exciting finish in January at the district championship meet,” Lackey said.
Cootes took two first place medals at the AISD Swim Classic, winning the 500-yard freestyle and the 200-yard individual medley. Meyer took second place in the 100 backstroke, and Madison Martell placed third in the 500 free.
“A huge new highlight for us this year is divers.  Our Bowie swimming and diving Team are represented accordingly now, and scoring points for the team,” Lackey said.
At the AISD meet, divers sophomores Nate Cootes, and Julianna and John Anges placed third, fifth, and sixth respectively, earning a combined total of 13 points for the team.
The level of talent on the team is broad, and getting deeper by the day.
“Many of our swimmers are on the verge of breaking into an entirely different level of swimming,” Lackey said.
“I hope to invite a few recruiters to see the entire team before the end of our season,” Lackey said. Seniors Stephen Kim, Michaela Teague,  Madison Martell have toured several college programs already this year.
“I motivate myself by just looking forward to college,” Zachary said.
The team has been making improvements along the way, and hope to continue doing so for the rest of the season.
“We’ve made lots of improvements since the beginning of the season, and if we keep that up, we can do really well at districts and regionals,” Crawford said.