Amongst large groups of girls from all across Missouri stand U. City’s mere five swimmers, waiting to swim their first relay. Being in the first heat of the first event of the day, four of the swimmers wait impatiently for the meet to begin. They stand tall despite their small numbers, heads high and hearts pulsing.

“I was worried about the event,” said sophomore Korinna Brandt, who swam 50m of butterfly stroke in the 200 medley relay. “I thought I wasn’t going to dive right and hit my head or arms in the shallow end.”

On Jan. 24, five of the eight swimmers on the girls swim team set out for their annual trip to the City of Roses Invitational in Cape Girardeau. Twenty-three other teams made the trip to appear at the meet on Jan. 25, hosted at Cape Central’s “Bubble,” a pool that in the colder months becomes what its name suggests, covered by plastic sheeting that creates a barrier from the weather outside.

Going into the meet, U. City’s swimmers included juniors Emily Looby and Kayla Holmes, sophomores Alex Jolliff and Korinna Brandt, and freshman Ericah Brown, who were expecting their best performances of the season. Coach Mary Lhotak expected the best from her swimmers as well.

“I always have high hopes for great times at Cape,” said Lhotak. “It’s at an intense part of the season and the competition is top notch, against some of the fastest teams in the state.”

As opposed to many of the larger teams, sometimes comprised of over forty girls with four events each — that’s a potential 160 events — U. City was only able to participate in twelve events in total. However, they made the best of their few chances.

“Our team met my expectations and we had time drops from four athletes,” said Coach Lhotak. “They displayed great technique under tough conditions.”

To Korinna Brandt, sophomore, coming to the City of Roses meet for the second time wasn’t as nerve-wracking as when she swam last year.

“I was nervous about the size of the meet,” Brandt said. “But I was less intimidated than last time because I had done it before. I improved on most of the events and I’m proud of myself for doing different events than last year, which is challenging.”

Sophomore Linda Zhang, who couldn’t make the trip with the team, lamented her lost opportunity to swim over the weekend.

“I wanted to go but I was caught up with homework and had other things to do,” said Zhang. “I want to go next year, but I feel bad for not being in the meet.”

Though the team left with a score of zero, the players showed great spirit and were able to reach personal goals. To freshman Ericah Brown, reaching her own ambitions mean more than racking up points against the competition.

“I’m so happy that I beat my personal goal, even though I didn’t beat any teams. I didn’t think I could do that,” she said. “It’s more important to shoot for your personal ambitions because it’s your own best and you shouldn’t care what anybody else thinks.”