Bainbridge Brothers Bring New Life to O'Dea Swim and Dive

By Nate Booth

With the winter sports season quickly approaching the O’Dea swim and dive team will be looking to do well. Last year O’Dea placed second in the metro league, seventh in districts and eighth in state. With a strong senior class leaving the team was looking for reinforcements.  

It is a good thing they found some. At the start of the year incoming juniors Robbie and Eddie transferred from Banbridge High School. The two of them are twins and both strong swimmers. 

When they first transferred in it was hard at first, they came only knowing each other. It then got easier, Robbie says “he has a lot of support from his teachers and talks to Mr. Schutte daily.” Having each other on the team has helped as well. Eddie says that he has swum with his brother his whole life and it makes it easier because he has someone that he already knows. They both feel less isolated because they have each other. 

The team has been super welcoming to them, and they are excited for the season. They are looking to help the team improve and hope that their experiences can add to the good senior and junior class who have experience as well. Eddie says that he is excited for the dual meets and competing against 3A teams that they have not swam against before and both brothers feel like they are ready to help the team whenever.  

This year is looking to be better than last year. They have a goal of finishing first in metros and doing well in districts and state. With the twins coming in and the returning swimmers stepping into bigger roles they feel like they can do well this year, and they have the confidence to do so.  

They both have some personal goals as well. Robbie hopes to break a team record in the 50 or 100 freestyle, while Eddie aims to place in the top three at state. They both think that they bring valuable experience and good spirit to the team and with the support they have gotten so far from everyone is only getting better and helping them belong here.  

As the season gets underway and the first meet on Friday December 5^th, they are feeling optimistic. With the Bainbridge brothers adding depth and new energy along with the knew swimmers they believe that they can win metros and do well this season.