Bonds forged in chlorine unite girls swim for postseason

Breaking record after record, the Wildcat girls swim team feels confident that they will win conference as they head into the postseason following their farewell week.

Head coach Kel Van Sistine is most concerned about the immense workload the swimmers will face.

“I think one of the interesting challenges of swimming is that all of our big needs are sort of back to back each weekend because the conference meet is followed up by sectionals and state meets,” she said. “That can be both mentally and physically challenging because you want to rest your body enough to where you’re ready to race but also push yourselves to get those best times.”

However, she is positive that the girls will be able to push themselves to the limit through determination and work ethic.

“So far, I think our season has been a good one. I think it was a learning season and we lost a pretty strong senior class from last year,” Van Sistine said. “So we had to have some people step up and fill in some of those spots going into conference meets so we are set up for success.”

She also believes that the hard work from the swimmers this season will pay off, and they will have a chance at winning against some of the teams that got them in previous years. 

“I know we’ve got a couple of girls that are looking to break some records and go far into the championship season, and then the rest of our girls are really focused on their own time,” she said. “So I think we’re in a good spot right now. We’re hoping to beat some of those teams that maybe got us in a dual meet this year, but I think we can beat them in the championship.

Junior Kiersten Dietschweiler feels the tough, disciplined, and demanding schedule that they face each season prepares them for the postseason push.

“I would say the team is doing pretty good mentally and physically just because even when it’s hard, we do a good job of keeping each other positive and physically,” she said. “Everyone is showing up everyday, so I’d say that we’re in good shape for the upcoming conference meet.”

Moreover, Dietschweiler embraces the importance of discipline within the team that eventually led to individual success, such as her record breaking 500 meter record.

“I would say the crucial factor is to show up everyday, even if you don’t want to,” she said. “And then the team work also contributes to that success because we all work together as a team and push each other.”

Sophomore Molly Dudzinski understands  the significance of strong bonds between swimmers.

“Teamwork, especially at this level of meets, is really important because of the energy that the team brings as it affects how you do at the meet,” she said. “It makes everybody do better and everybody more positive. We all try to bring each other up as the season progresses.”

Van Sistine recognizes the team bonding activities that strengthens the connection among swimmers. 

“We try to do a lot of team-bonding activities as well throughout the year. So, I think that helps when we do get into those conference meets,” she said. “We work on that throughout the year and try to find a purpose for everybody.”

Van Sistine also finds that there are key players in building a tight team culture within practice and meets, who also help everyone prepare for the rigorous schedule.

“Well, Kiersten is arguably our best swimmer. She’s a really good teammate and I really value that she’s not just good in the pool too because she’ll stay after practice and help people work on starts and things like that,” she said. “So, she’s not selfish as a teammate. She could be, she’s swimming at a calibre that is far beyond a lot of our girls, but she doesn't act like that.”

Van Sistine looks forward to enjoying the final portrait of the team’s success.

“We’ve done the bonding outside of swim, we’ve done the work together in the pool, and now it’s time to put it all together.”

by Mark Jung

Published November 3, 2025

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue II