By Katie Servas – Staff Reporter

Natalia Gagliardi and Christina Ayala are Instant Athletes: Just Add Water.

Jonathan Law sophomore Christina Ayala and freshman Natalia Gagliardi are new additions to the girls swim team who have been amazing assets. They both have been on swim teams prior to their participation in the girls swim team and say it has benefited their transitions to high school. 

“Being on the swim team really helped starting school because being on the team helps you make a lot of new friends,” Gagliardi said. “Everyone is so nice and pleasant.” 

Gagliardi has enjoyed the camaraderie of the team and is thankful for the advice she’s received about high school classes and stressors.

“Swimming helped me this school year because it keeps me on top of my work,” Ayala said.  “I don’t want to get kicked off the team and it helps me maintain a schedule.”

Ayala has been motivated to complete her school work and perform well in classes to continue to swim, which has pushed her to put maximum effort into her work. 

The pair agrees that one of the most beneficial parts about being on the swim team is the team building friendships and the coaches’ discipline to encourage faster times and more wins.

“I think the coaches push us very hard, not just in meets, but in practice as well,”  Gagliardi said. “They also push us mentally by being very encouraging and positive.”

The swim team has proven to be a positive experience for Gagliardi and Ayala. They consistently put in all of their effort to drop time to get closer to personal best times.

“It is so inspiring to see how hard they work and how determined they are to help the team succeed,” junior Aislinn Burns said. “They both work extremely hard inside and outside of practice.”

Burns, one of their teammates, agrees that they are some of the most committed and motivated swimmers on the team. Their determination and dedication has been reflected to their teammates,  generating a stronger and more devoted team. 

“They are both extremely willing to swim anything they are in,” senior captain Alexa Darak said. “As a team there can be those days where you don’t want to swim or are not motivated. However they are always willing to hype up the team and have great attitudes no matter the circumstances.”

Senior captain Darak has noticed their willingness to swim any event without any thought. They chose to strive in any event they are subjected to no matter how difficult it may seem. Their attitudes have sent a wave of passion across the team leaving each member with a new sense of accomplishment and determination. 

These attributes have not only been noticed by their peers, but also by their coaches. 

“Christina has gotten a best time in every event she has done this year,” head coach Rob Rosner said.  “She looks stronger each meet and has proven that she can swim any event and deliver exactly what the team needs.” 

Ayala has beaten every personal best she’s set every meet so far this season. She is a force to be reckoned with due to her contagious desire for success and immense talent.

“Natalia came in as a freshman this year and immediately made an impact,” Rosner said. “She set the bar very high for herself after the first couple weeks of practice and the first meet.”

Gagliardi has pushed herself to break personal limits and times while maintaining steady grades and persistence to become the strongest swimmer she can.

“It’s not always words that have the biggest impact,” Rosner said. “ In this case, their actions do all the talking.”