The Cosumnes River College women’s swim team competed in their first in-person meet of the season on Feb. 12, marking their first traditional meet since the beginning of the pandemic.

COVID-19 shutdowns meant that the team lost valuable water time in the pool, according to Head Coach Liz Zenuk. Additionally, the Summer Swim Program, which offered recruiting and job opportunities for swimmers, came to a halt due to the virus presenting even more challenges for the swim team.

Zenuk said she has her eyes on the State Championship, which will be held at East Los Angeles College in May.

“We have athletes who have the capability of competing in their individual events and doing well enough in our conference to potentially make it to states,” she said.

Zenuk said that based on how her team swam on Feb. 12, she is confident they will make it to the State Championship.

“We placed 4th overall and broke three school records in the 400 medley, 400 free and 800 free relays,” Zenuk said.

Zenuk also said she is focused on opening as many doors as possible for the women on her team. Whether that be supporting her athletes in transferring to a four-year university swim program, applying for athletic scholarships or writing letters of recommendation.

Freshman Hana Thai said that it felt great to be back competing and is pleased that her team is doing so well given the last couple of years.

Thai also said that her main goal this semester is to improve her personal records.

“I’ve had this goal for a very long time, but it’s basically to improve or beat my personal record for the 50 free,” Thai said. “Currently, it’s at 30 seconds, 30.2 seconds exactly, so I just want to get under 30, like a 29 for example or 28 or 27.”

Thai said she is focused on using the meets this season to determine which race is best for her to compete in at the State Championship.

Freshman Madison Ledbetter said she would like to improve her 100-Yard butterfly time and hopes to make it to the State Championship.

Ledbetter also said it was amazing to be back competing after the long COVID-19 induced hiatus.

“I love my team, especially because we all get along, and people say that normally teams have some sort of drama, but there’s no ill will or drama between all of us,” Ledbetter said. “We all get along so well, we make jokes, we swim, we motivate each other which I think is really important. I love all the girls on my team and I’m very thankful for that.”