Senior leadership sets tone as boys swim team chased perfection in regular season run

Just short of perfection but primed for a state run, the boys swim team ended its season with a record of 4-1 in duals, placing in at least the top 50% at every meet. The season held a multitude of highlights, including a school record and many meets and duals. 

photo by Novally Thao

Junior Rhett Jodarski had a favorite memory this season. 

“Beating Neenah for the first time in 11 years was one of the highlights of the season,” he said. “It was a close dual, 86-84, but the Wildcats prevailed in the end.”

Head coach Kelly Van Sistine appreciated the seniors’ efforts that helped lead the team’s success. 

“We had a lot of returning seniors, some who have been varsity point scorers throughout their four years and some that have really stepped up this year,” she said. “It’s been a huge help having a large team who knows what’s going on and how to score points." 

The seniors also led by example, creating a culture of hard work and dedication.

“The ones setting the culture, making fun, and setting the goals,” she said. “We appreciate the dedication from the seniors setting the attitude.”

Senior captain Gabe Balcom believes that the captains share responsibility for creating a positive team culture.

 “The other captains and I have really focused this season on holding the whole team accountable and finding ways to raise the intensity of practice.”

Junior Brady Ott also values the advice captains give in order to keep everyone working hard.

“They help give the team something to work to, and at practices some of them try to keep us focused and not messing around,” he said. “They also have helped me develop since my freshman year, and they help motivate me to improve my times and become a better swimmer.” 

While the team has had a lot of success throughout the season, Balcom admitted that they also had their setbacks. 

“The biggest challenge that the team has faced this year is the temptation to fall back on our own success,” he said. “It can be easy to be satisfied with what we have accomplished thus far so it has been difficult at times to make sure that the team stays hungry."

Senior Carter Crowe believes that when the team has a goal they can complete it as long as they work towards it.

“One of our goals is to win conference because we haven’t done that since 1989 and at the end of the day anything is truly possible,” he said. “The only thing limiting you from accomplishments is your own mind,”

Crowe had a  record breaking performance, one he will never forget.

“It’s cool to get your name on the wall and make a lasting impact and to know your hard work paid off,” he said. “It’s just awesome to see how hard work can help you accomplish your goals and succeed,”

Crowe is also hoping to perform well in sectionals, with the goal of making it to state. Sectionals are rapidly approaching, and Crowe detailed his preparations.

“A lot of times for running and swimming you taper, decrease your workload, while also getting a little more protein and sleep,” he said.

Senior captain Caleb Bergin has goals for his senior year.

“I have always wanted to go to state since my freshman year, and I was very close, one place off in two events last year. That has been a big motivator for me going into my senior year,” he said, “It’s my last year swimming competitively, and that has been the biggest factor pushing me to be the best I’ve been.”

While the senior class has been very strong, Van Sistine is impressed with the leader-like traits that underclassmen have shown

“The underclassmen have been stepping up and filling spots that were left by previous seniors,” she said. “It has been really cool to see people stepping up, and we’re changing our relays almost every week because people are improving their times. I think everybody collectively trying to beat their own times has been really fun.”

Jodarski also recognizes the improvements underclassmen have shown this season.

“Underclassmen have been working hard as well. We have been working hard to improve all of our times, and hopefully break into some meets,” he said. “Even if people might not qualify for meets this year they are working hard to improve for next year.” 

With only 8 out of 19 team members returning next year, Van Sistine expects the underclassmen to dedicate themselves to fill the seats of seniors.

“They should take some of the hard work and ethics that they’re seeing from the senior class and apply that to themselves,” she said. “We don’t have some of the numbers we have this year, so they will need to work harder to fill spots in meets while still succeeding.” 

by Mason Callahan

Published February 9, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue IV