The twenty-two girls that make up the BOYCP girls’ swim team this year have been working hard and have been very competitive. Their coach, Mr. Hoyte, pushes them to become better individual swimmers in order to improve the team as a whole. The girls’ encourage one another to do their best at practices with hopes that their hard work will eventually pay off.

Coach Hoyte encourages the swimmers to be confident and mentally strong. When asked on how he motivates the team before a swim meet, Coach Hoyte said, “I tell them they have to get better every day. Nobody cares about how they do or if they’re getting better so they should be the ones to really make sure that they’re getting better to beat their opponent.” The coach tells the girls that they should do their best not only for the team but for themselves. When Melissa Chio, captain of the swim team, was asked on how she takes this she responded by saying, “Every day at practice you have to strive to become better than before.” The girls take this advice from their coach and it helps them become better for themselves and it also helps improve the team as a whole.

It is important for the swimmers to overcome obstacles in the water so they can let loose and have fun while swimming and beating their opponent. The girls are supportive of one another when it comes to their team members. Not only does the team support one another in competitions, but they also support one another whenever an individual swimmer needs someone to be there for them. The girls improve on a daily basis by supporting one another in and out of school, being motivated by their coach, and loving the sport.  

– Abigail Duarte