On February 11, Lightridge High School’s Boys Swimming Team placed first at Regionals for the Virginia High School League, the Girls Swimming team placed fourth, and the team finished second overall.

Both teams will compete at VHSL States this coming weekend. 

Assistant Coach Stephanie Cichoski, was not shocked by the results.

 “It’s easy to be confident in them,” said Cichoski, “ because they are good swimmers.” 

Lightridge not only has the title of second place overall at regionals but also the title as “one of the nicest teams to compete against,” according to Cichoski. Lightridge cheers for not only their team but also for their competing teams. 

When it comes to encouragement within the team, Cichoski said that “a strong group of upperclassmen have taken the lowerclassmen under their wing.” 

“The students will encourage each other in the weight room,” said Cichoski, and they “do a good job of cheering on everybody in all of their races regardless of [whether] they are finishing first or finishing last.”  

“You have to have both a large team and a deep seated team,” said Cichoski. It is not enough to have fast swimmers, but rather to have swimmers who are diverse in their practice.  Throughout the season, the coaches actively look for areas of strength for swimmers and will have the students try new positions. 

Both Cichoski and head coach Katie Johnson have high hopes for the team at States.

“We are hoping to have all individual swimmers and relays qualify for the state finals, top 16 from the preliminary session, on Saturday evening and we have many swimmers who are in a position to earn All-State honors by placing in the top 8,” said Johnson. “ Overall we will have some tough team competition but are hoping to have some great individual swims and new team records.”