Against The Current: The Irish’s Swim Team Path to Metros and State

By Torsten Schenck

SEATTLE-After a solid season, O’Dea’s Swim and Dive team finished the year with a record of 5-3 overall and 4-2 in the Metro League, positioning themselves as an underdog heading into the postseason. However, the Irish should never be underestimated. With a mix of veteran leadership and a few breakout underclassmen and transfers, O’Dea enters championship meets not just hoping to make noise but to unleash a tidal wave throughout the state. 

 First up on the postseason schedule is Metros, a meet which has historically brought success to the program. Reflecting on past Metro meets, Coach Schutte said, “We’ve had some unbelievable and heroic performances.” The team will hope to continue with their fierce rivals Lakeside also gunning for the Metro title. 

 Lakeside beat O’Dea earlier this season by a score of 109-77, but the Irish are not fazed by this past result at all. Junior Max Robbins said, “I’m feeling good about Lakeside, they don’t really have that many lower-level swimmers to fill up the B and C heats which is important for scoring.” 

 The team has been working tirelessly since that meet and has seen some incredible drops in times. Senior Seamus Johnson dropped 2 seconds last week in the 100 free which resulted in a Metro time. These are the performances we will need to see at Metros and throughout the postseason. 

They have also been working tirelessly on starts, turns, and embracing a technique called tapering in which you give your all-out sprint for 25 yards and then relax and flush out your lactic acid. These techniques will help get them ready for Metros, Districts, and State. 

Even though these are big meets, the Irish are not succumbing to the pressure. Junior Max Robbins says, “…We will combat the pressure by embracing it and using it as fuel to win Metros” and take down their fierce rivals of Lakeside which have been dominant in the past years. 

But it is not just Metros, O’Dea’s main focus is the State Championships. With momentum building and confidence rising, the Irish are prepared to push beyond their limits and prove they belong among Washington’s best. Every race will demand precision, grit, and belief—qualities this team has shown all season. As they step onto the biggest stage, the Irish aren’t just aiming to compete; they’re determined to make a statement and finish their journey with pride.