Freshman makes swim history

The+crowd+cheers+on+Moreland+as+she+swims+the+500-yard+freestyle.+%E2%80%9CShe+placed+better+at+State+then+she+was+seated+to%2C+which+shows+her+determination%2C%E2%80%9D+assistant+coach+Samantha+Loepker+said.+Moreland+was+seeded+to+swim+5%3A47.29+at+State%2C+but+beat+this+expectation+and+swam+her+fastest+time+of+the+season.

Photo Courtesy of Bill Deckelman

The crowd cheers on Moreland as she swims the 500-yard freestyle. “She placed better at State then she was seated to, which shows her determination,” assistant coach Samantha Loepker said. Moreland was seeded to swim 5:47.29 at State, but beat this expectation and swam her fastest time of the season.

Freshman Aubrie Moreland swam in the girls State swim competition Feb. 15, making WHS history. Moreland is the first individual swimmer to compete at State, earning State consideration times in three different events.

Moreland placed 22nd in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:45.47 and 28th in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:06.19. She also participated in the 400-yard freestyle relay, placing 30th.

“The fact that she continued to drop time throughout the year and had her best time for the season at State proves her dedication and hard work is paying off,” assistant coach Samantha Loepker said.

Moreland has been swimming since she was five, competing with the city of Washington’s swim team and the YMCA’s club team. Her commitment over the years has earned her a State title.

“This season, I would go to the high school swim team in the morning and sometimes I would go to the club swim team in the afternoon, so I would be doing double practices,” Moreland said. “That definitely got my endurance up.”

Moreland’s mother is a coach on the YMCA’s club team, and has pushed her to never stop. Her success has given her the confidence to pursue a future in swim, knowing now that she can accomplish what she puts her mind to.

“She has the athletic skill and the drive,” Loepker said. “With those two things, she is unstoppable at any goal she puts in front of her.”