Next Tuesday will mark the start of the swim season for the girls swim team at Berthoud High School. After losing key seniors from last year, the team has shrunk to fifteen Lady Spartans. “Smallest our team’s been,” said Coach Matthew Goldsmith about this upcoming season. “But, from what I’ve seen so far the past few weeks, we’re still going to be relatively competitive in our races,” he said.

Goldsmith admitted that competing on points at swim meets will be difficult this year, but he still expects strong individual performances. “We have some holes to fill, but we’ve always come in with that, we’ve always had holes that need to be filled and kids always step it up,” he said excitedly. With a slimmed-down team, swimmers are going to be expected to contribute everywhere. “They might not swim their favorite events every meet, but they’ll be still contributing,” said Goldsmith.

Regardless, Goldsmith is thrilled with the swimmers he has this year. He highlighted two new swimmers joining the team, sisters Audrey and Olivia Gravestock who have returned to swimming because of Berthoud’s program. “They’re going to be major contributors this season,” said Goldsmith. He also emphasized the importance of returning swimmers Natalie Major, Corinne Roberts and Amelia Hughes. “They’re just going to build on what they did last year, they already got goals set,” he said.

Goals and ambitions for the season remain high. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get three relays back to state this year. I’m pretty confident that we will,” Goldsmith said. One way the team is looking to follow through on this is by fundraising for new equipment. After last year’s success, the Berthoud Break the Ice Invitational swim meet is returning for a second year. “The meet format is a little different, you’re not going for points. The kids can really focus in on their individual events,” he said.

Last year the swim meet had over 250 participants, and this year the number has already surpassed 470. “I really wanted to give teams in the area that opportunity to get in some races without the pressure of winning a meet,” Goldsmith said. Money raised from tickets, fees and concessions will go toward the Lady Spartans swim team. The Break the Ice Invitational will be on Dec. 10th at Mountain View High School. Races will start at 9 a.m. with doors opening two hours before then.

But before then Berthoud will have its first swim meet of the season at nearby rival Thompson Valley High School on Nov. 29th. After losing to Thompson Valley for the first time last year, the Lady Spartans will be looking for redemption. “It’s going to be a good event, we’re probably going to see some fast swims as well,” Goldsmith said. “It will still be close, and it will be competitive. Anything could really happen; it just depends on how the lineups align and we’ll see how it goes. But it’s always a fun meet,” he added.