Stepping out onto the hot deck, it seemed like a mere dream to win the meet. But our ACP swimmers were trained for these odds and didn’t come to lose. Where other teams may have come anxious, nervous, or unprepared for their meet, the Knights faced the pool smiling and laughing. Nothing could break this group apart, and nothing could break them down. The first events flew by in a hurry, with our 200 Medley Relay teams; swimmers like Ryan Redmond, Ian Phu, Emily Rake, and Melanie Hass took their individual relays to near record-breaking times on our campus.

As the meet progressed, the gap in scores between the three teams seemed to grow ever tighter. Whatever fear the Knights had of losing their lead was masked under laughter and calm facades from the poolside. By the 400 Freelay, the teams were neck-and-neck for first place. A 15 minute break, right before the 100 Butterfly, gave the swimmers a chance to relax and pass jokes, share their times, and just have fun with the meet. The halftime scores were announced: ACP commanded a short lead, only having six more points than the other two teams.

After the break, the meet seemed to move as slow as possible. The individual events, littered with first places from our ACP swimmers, still didn’t offer a commanding lead. As all three teams swam through the clock, there was only one definitive realization: the relay events were going to make or break our lead. The 200 Free Relay was won by the narrow margin of three seconds for boys, and the girls relay took third. There were less than three points between Seton and ACP by the 400 Free Relay. Our last swimmers, knowing that this relay was the most important of the meet, were not fazed by the overwhelming odds. The ACP boys and girls relays huddled, and amidst the laughing, one remarkable quote was heard: “Whatever happens in that water, we don’t stop. We swim for the team, not for ourselves. This is a defining moment in this team.”

The next events seemed to happen in a blur. Our relays pushed everything, barely holding off for a breath, and the results spoke for themselves. The boys relays ended second and third, and the girls relays ended second and fourth against powerful, and older, swimmers. No matter what the coming score was going to be, the Knights were proud of their team. The end of the meet brought along anxious swimmers, huddling together, waiting for the official to announce the results.

The speaker demanded the attention of the crowd.

“ACP vs. Scottsdale. 194-141.” Colossal relief was released in waves of laughter and cheering, but the meet wasn’t over yet.

“ACP vs. Seton. 173-167.” Moments of confusion passed through the faces of tired swimmers. Something must have been counted wrong, Seton always beat ACP in the home meet. This flash of panic passed with raucous yelling and excitement as our ACP Knights came to realize the narrow margins by which they took home another victory. If you see any of our illustrious swimmers, be sure to congratulate them!