Royals Swimmers Become “Complete Athletes”

Enthusiastic competitors continue to take CVCA’s three-year-old swim team to deeper levels. The team finished in second place at sectionals, sending all three relay teams and seven individual swimmers on to the district level. Kaitlin Amicone, Katie Good, Laura Nice, Andrea Nykamp, Renee Ormond, Kelly Ormond, Sarah Wright, and John MacMillan advanced in competition. From there, the 200 Freestyle Relay (Amicone, Nice, R. Ormond, K. Ormond) and the 400 Freestyle Relay (Amicone, Nice, Wright, K. Ormond) moved on to the first showing as a team at the state level. Making states in individual events, Kelly Ormond competed in the 50 and 100 Freestyle, and John MacMillan advanced in the 100 Backstroke. MacMillan moved through each level to finish 16th in the state.
As the swimmers continued to develop and rise to the next level of training, the team focused on becoming balanced athletes. They discovered the camaraderie and joy that flows through a team when the focus goes beyond just excelling physically. The love the CVCA swimmers demonstrated for the Lord and for their teammates left a lasting impression on the pool deck both at practice and in competition.
Demonstrating the characteristics of complete athletes, seniors Matt Hess and Karen Harris provided leadership for the Royals. Karen finished her high school swimming career as part of the district-qualifying 200 Medley Relay (Harris, Wright, Nykamp, R. Ormond). Matt and Karen demonstrated faithfulness and steadiness that created a family atmosphere for the fledgling team. “I have learned how important it is to be a teammate and not just an individual swimmer,” commented Erin Vlahos. “I also learned how important the mental aspect is along with encouraging others.”
Although the team finished the season with a winning record, losing only to swimming powers Walsh and Massillon, achieving a second-place finish at sectionals was a pleasant surprise and blessing for the season’s hard work. “This group of swimmers is a tremendously hardworking group. They never slowed down all season,” shared Coach Heather Rios. “They amazed me with their ability to keep up and succeed at everything I threw at them.”
“God was good to us. He allowed us to go to deeper levels of training and blessed our hard work and effort,” continued Rios. “He brought us as a team to make the connection of what it means to be a complete athlete and what that looks like lived out. That combination gave the team to a wonderful sense of identity and belonging. We are excited to be a part of the CVCA tradition of athletic excellence.”