O’Dea Swim and Dive Ready for 2025 Season

By Owen Kimball, Fa Siale, Brandon Blake

SEATTLE- The winter season is here and the O’Dea High School Swim and Dive team is preparing to compete in the Metro League once again. The program has built a reputation for excellence and placing high in the state. 

Over the past two years, O’Dea has shown consistent progress in the pool. Placing 2^nd in the state in 2024, and 7^th in 2025, Metro League finishes for several athletes, and mant awards. These accomplishments have given the team confidence and a clear sense of direction heading into the new season led by Captains August Pierce, Jack Leclerq and Wyatt Sanford. 

Graduation always brings change, and O’Dea will miss the leadership and skill of last year’s seniors. Shea Skarda, Nick Behrens and Maks Karman among some of the most influential seniors O’Dea graduated. Their presence will be remembered, but the current team is motivated to step into those roles and continue building on the foundation they left behind. 

Head Coach Schutte has emphasized that the team’s strength lies in its unity. Practices are designed to push athletes physically while also reinforcing the values of teamwork and accountability. Upperclassmen are taking on mentoring roles, guiding younger swimmers and divers to ensure the program remains strong. August Pierce, a senior on the team said, “it’s always fun recruiting new guys and seeing what they have in them, challenging them and encouraging them”. This culture has been a hallmark of O’Dea athletics and continues to inspire athletes to excel both in competition and in academics. 

The excitement for the upcoming season is clear among the captains, who have embraced both the responsibility of leadership and the challenge of setting the tone for the younger athletes. Senior captain Wyatt Sanford made expectations clear: “As seniors, we want to place as high as possible, all the work we did in club swim and off season wasn’t for nothing.” His words reflect the determination of the team to translate months of preparation into results in the pool. 

The season will run from November through February, with O’Dea competing in dual meets, invitationals, and aiming for strong performances at Districts and State. With a roster that blends experienced returners and promising newcomers such as two twins Robbie and Eddie, both juniors looking to add depth to the roster. the Fighting Irish are ready to make an impact. Fans and families can look forward to exciting races, courageous dives, and the spirited competition that has become an expectation from O’Dea Swim and Dive.