The MFS Girls Swim Team’s spot as the No. 4 seed in the NJSIAA Tournament has earned them a home meet in the second round, marking their first home event of the season. This small but mighty team’s road to the 4-seed has been nothing short of an underdog story. 

After making it to the playoffs for the first time in program history last year, the girls came into the season hungry for more. “This year the girls are very aware of what they [wanted] to achieve as a team,” said head coach Dave Washick. 

Junior co-captain Christina Levins (’21) echoed a similar sentiment to that of her coach, saying that “[The team] was excited about this year coming off of last year’s success, so we were just ready to get up and race as a team.” 

Returning to the team this year was the powerhouse junior-duo of Christinia Levins and co-captain Allison Fenska (’21). Coach Washick said he sees these girls as “two of the best swimmers in the state.” Between Fenska and Levins, they hold every MFS swimming record. 

In addition to Fenska and Levins, the team has only ten more swimmers, bringing the total to twelve. Having such a small team poses challenges for them during meets. 

“Twelve swimmers on a team unfortunately does not allow us to fill every lane during races,” Coach Washick explains, “which results in points our team cannot score.”

Despite these difficulties, the team never lost their determination. “Sometimes we don’t have enough people to fill lanes or events which makes us lose points,” said Levins, “but it makes us all want to work harder and win our other events to earn back any lost points.” 

This team-first focus and sheer determination exhibited by the swimmers has been a driving force for the girls’ success all season. “The attitude this season is consistently positive in the sense that everyone is willing to swim for the team instead of for themselves, which makes it very special,” said Fenska.

Coach Washick said he has seen a noticeable difference in the team camaraderie: “This year our team has really formed an identity and seems to always be having fun on the pool deck.” Washick said that he has observed a direct correlation between the positive energy the swimmers create and their performance this season. 

Four months of practice and eleven meets has brought the girls to this point: their first meet of the state tournament. Not only is this the best seed the girls team has earned in program history, but following their first round bye, the team earned the opportunity to host their first home meet. Extending their positive attitude, this unexpected event has been welcomed by the team with open arms.

“Like in other sports, home advantage is always a good thing,” explained Washick.  “Our swimmers will go into the meet with more familiarity with the blocks and walls than our opponent.” 

Hosting the first round of their postseason at home will certainly ease some of the nerves that come with playoffs. As Fenska noted, “Having the meet at our practice facility is definitely going to make everyone super comfortable.” 

Despite the stress Coach Washick said he is experiencing as they approach the meet, the excitement he has for his team is as present as ever. 

He exclaimed, “I am so happy for our girls to continue this historic era in MFS swimming by hosting a playoff meet.” 

The Foxes look to continue their historic season on February 11, 2020, at the Kroc Center in Camden, New Jersey.