The De Soto High School girls’ swim team competed at and won League on May 10 in Osawatomie.

“League is just like any other meet. The top swimmers in each event score points for their team. The team with the most points wins,” said junior Kay Craven.

Craven placed ninth in the 200-individual medley and sixth in the 100-butterfly. She noted how she the competition played out.

“League is kind of a big deal. We had a spread sheet beforehand, so we knew we were ranked first, but it was going to be close between us and Coffeyville,” Craven said.

Senior Gabby Mallozzi placed first in both the 50-free and 100-backstroke at League. She described the atmosphere at the meet.

“From the start of the meet, everyone was really optimistic and had great attitudes,” Mallozzi said. “Our team was in first the entire meet, so each time they announced the points, the excitement and motivation continued to grow. This whole season we’ve been working towards the goal of winning league, so everyone was really focused to accomplish that.”

Mallozzi expressed how this season was a milestone for the team.

“At every meet [freshman year], we were the smallest team and always struggled to win points, so winning a meet as big as this is huge,” Mallozzi said. “I wanted to win League as a team more than I wanted to win my individual events, so this was a great way to end the season.”

Head coach Melissa Knapp is proud of the seniors on the team and believes that the team will continue to improve in the coming seasons.

“I think the upperclassmen have done an excellent job of leading the team. They have been inclusive and encouraging of all the younger swimmers and have shown that hard work and teamwork are needed to excel. I believe the team next year will follow their lead,” Knapp said. “My hope is that more girls will join the team and we will continue to develop amazing athletes with teamwork being our key to success.”

The team’s performance was reflective of its effort, according to Knapp.

“I was extremely happy for the girls. They had worked so hard all season and they had really come together as a team. I was smiling ear-to-ear, hands in the air in celebration,” Knapp said. “I don’t think they could have had a more perfect meet. Everyone gave 110 percent and gave it their all during every event.”