ALPENA — As the Alpena High School girls’ swim team prepares to dive into the upcoming season, head coach Jennifer Johnson is setting her sights on continued growth and development for the team. With a strong focus on building a relatively new program, Johnson is confident that this season will bring both individual and team success.

“Our main goal for the season is to see improvement and growth,” Johnson said. “We’re working on developing this program further, and it’s exciting to watch the progress.”

A key strategy this season will be maximizing the potential of the team’s most experienced swimmers. By placing them in events that benefit both their personal performance and the overall success of the team, Johnson aims to see individual best times across the board. This approach is designed to not only foster competitive results but also encourage the personal development of each swimmer.

Leading the charge this season are captains Sarah Rabbideau, a senior, and Tryst Bukowiecki, a sophomore.

Rabbideau has already made waves with her impressive performance, earning the maximum points a swimmer can achieve in a meet.

Bukowiecki will be another standout swimmer to watch. Known for her versatility in relays, she has already shown promise in both individual and team events. Joining the captains are experienced swimmers Elizabeth Rabbideau and Olivia Sherwood, who will also play pivotal roles in the team’s success with their strength and consistency in the pool.

Despite the team’s talent, challenges are expected along the way. The level of competition Alpena faces is intense, but Johnson plans to focus on the personal growth of each swimmer.

“One of the biggest challenges is the level of competition we face,” Johnson said. “Our goal is to see athletes improve individually and contribute to the team’s overall progress.”

Alongside Johnson, assistant coach Elizabeth Jacques will play an instrumental role in guiding the team through the season. Together, they aim to cultivate a strong team culture while focusing on improvement in every meet.

As the season unfolds, fans of Alpena’s girls’ swim team can look forward to a determined and focused group, ready to push boundaries and achieve new heights.

This year’s team includes freshman Allie Donajkowski, Annette Faircloth, Maddox McClintic, and Haley Stenz; sophomores Tryst Bukowiecki, Bailee Diemond, Elizabeth Rabbideau, Oliva Sherwood, Gabriella Tolan, and Eva Trainer; juniors Hailey Diemond, Kaelyn Roznowski, and Addison Wesaw; and senior Sarah Rabbideau.