At the tail end of the season, the girls swim team traveled by charter bus to Springfield, MO. on Jan. 23 to compete in the Springfield Invitational Meet.

The team used their time in Springfield to grow closer. “[The trip] is really good for team bonding, we ride a bus and hangout. After the meet on Friday we all went into someone’s room and did team bonding games and stuff. We get kinda goofy.” Delaney Thomas, senior, said.

The team was eager for this meet because they had been working hard throughout the season to keep their title as State Champions this year.

“We were really excited for this meet because it’s like a test drive for State and Conference. We also do a lot of team bonding on that trip.”  Thomas added.

The Lancers had a successful trip, placing first out of 21 teams. Their biggest competitors were Glendale, Rock Bridge and Hickman. “Rock Bridge is our main concern, They got second at State last year, only three and a half points behind us.” Sarah Higgins, sophomore, said.

Thomas finished first in the 200-meter freestyle relay, 400-meter freestyle relay and 100-meter freestyle, and she took home the second place trophy for the 50-meter freestyle. Thomas’ teammate, senior Franceska Petrosino, also took home several first place titles including one for the 200-meter freestyle which she set a meet record for.

“Springfield, so far, was my best meet this season,” Thomas said.

Feb. 6-7 the swim team’s Conference Meet will begin at 4 pm at Lindbergh High School. The preliminaries begin the first day and the second day are the finals. “Our swimmers have had a very successful season this year. This is just another step in their hopes to repeat as State Champions,” Todd Zell, Athletic Director,  said.