MONROE - For Monroe swimmers Leanna Schwartzlow and Rachel Root, advancing to state is more than just a recognition of their year in the pool.
"It's very exciting, I'm happy to go again," Schwartzlow said. "I'm looking forward to finishing off (my career) with a great swim."
Schwartzlow, a senior, and Root, a sophomore, have made it back to the WIAA Division 2 state swimming meet for the second year in a row. Schwartzlow will take part in the 100-yard breaststroke and 200 individual medley. Root will swim the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke at the University of Wisconsin Natatorium. The meet starts at 6:30 p.m.
"I've been looking forward to this whole week," said Root, who also said she was excited for state. "I'm hoping I'll take off time."
According to coach Linda Moser, Root was a little awestruck as a freshman a year ago because of the crowd and everything else involved with the meet.
"Those girls had been to huge meets before - YMCA meets and state USA. But (state) is still different," Moser said. "They didn't know how loud that building is. Rachel got there and said that the noise was terrific.
"Even (Rachel's) mom has commented to me that Rachel is much more relaxed this year because she knows what to expect. Last year she was so nervous," Moser said. "Leanna said she's just going to get in (the pool) and swim. I think that's the attitude you need to go to state."
Schwartzlow said she will take it all in stride, and that the chaos of state is something she feels she'll be able to adapt well with.
"I don't really notice it (the noise). It doesn't really bother me," Schwartzlow said. "But I like that people are there supporting us and watching our sport."
The pair of Cheesemakers won't be able to hear their teammates amid the screams Friday. Only athletes participating in the meet and their coaches can be on the pool deck, which means instead of a handful of teammates waiting at each turn waving and screaming support, Root and Schwartzlow will just have each other.
"I'm so glad that they both made it because they will be there to encourage each other," Moser said. "Both (assistant coach) Barb (Robertson) and I will be there, but that's different because we are coaches. I think having that other person that they have swam so hard with all season there with them will make a huge difference in their mental attitude and how they approach each race."
In fact, the pair has not had any of their teammates at practice all week.
"It's different not having anyone around. Normally there's 11 of us, and now there are only two of us," Schwartzlow said. "It's definitely different and quieter in practice and it's going to be different (Friday), but we'll manage."
Root said Schwartzlow is motivational enough to keep her going.
"I've known Leanna since I was seven. She's very supportive and is always there," Root said.
Moser said her two swimmers have spent the majority of the time working on their individual strokes.
"The first day we did everything," Moser said. "But each day I've gotten more stroke specific. They just need to connect and feel those strokes really strongly."
Schwartzlow will not have another chance at state. For her, Friday will mark her final time in a pool representing her school. Moser has seen several seniors have their careers end at the state meet, and said that the swimmers don't let their final race get emotional until after the race - when they see her.
"I think they (seniors) break down after I do," Moser said. "They still have that high of coming out of the water and looking for their time. But it doesn't take long before it sinks in."
"It's very exciting, I'm happy to go again," Schwartzlow said. "I'm looking forward to finishing off (my career) with a great swim."
Schwartzlow, a senior, and Root, a sophomore, have made it back to the WIAA Division 2 state swimming meet for the second year in a row. Schwartzlow will take part in the 100-yard breaststroke and 200 individual medley. Root will swim the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke at the University of Wisconsin Natatorium. The meet starts at 6:30 p.m.
"I've been looking forward to this whole week," said Root, who also said she was excited for state. "I'm hoping I'll take off time."
According to coach Linda Moser, Root was a little awestruck as a freshman a year ago because of the crowd and everything else involved with the meet.
"Those girls had been to huge meets before - YMCA meets and state USA. But (state) is still different," Moser said. "They didn't know how loud that building is. Rachel got there and said that the noise was terrific.
"Even (Rachel's) mom has commented to me that Rachel is much more relaxed this year because she knows what to expect. Last year she was so nervous," Moser said. "Leanna said she's just going to get in (the pool) and swim. I think that's the attitude you need to go to state."
Schwartzlow said she will take it all in stride, and that the chaos of state is something she feels she'll be able to adapt well with.
"I don't really notice it (the noise). It doesn't really bother me," Schwartzlow said. "But I like that people are there supporting us and watching our sport."
The pair of Cheesemakers won't be able to hear their teammates amid the screams Friday. Only athletes participating in the meet and their coaches can be on the pool deck, which means instead of a handful of teammates waiting at each turn waving and screaming support, Root and Schwartzlow will just have each other.
"I'm so glad that they both made it because they will be there to encourage each other," Moser said. "Both (assistant coach) Barb (Robertson) and I will be there, but that's different because we are coaches. I think having that other person that they have swam so hard with all season there with them will make a huge difference in their mental attitude and how they approach each race."
In fact, the pair has not had any of their teammates at practice all week.
"It's different not having anyone around. Normally there's 11 of us, and now there are only two of us," Schwartzlow said. "It's definitely different and quieter in practice and it's going to be different (Friday), but we'll manage."
Root said Schwartzlow is motivational enough to keep her going.
"I've known Leanna since I was seven. She's very supportive and is always there," Root said.
Moser said her two swimmers have spent the majority of the time working on their individual strokes.
"The first day we did everything," Moser said. "But each day I've gotten more stroke specific. They just need to connect and feel those strokes really strongly."
Schwartzlow will not have another chance at state. For her, Friday will mark her final time in a pool representing her school. Moser has seen several seniors have their careers end at the state meet, and said that the swimmers don't let their final race get emotional until after the race - when they see her.
"I think they (seniors) break down after I do," Moser said. "They still have that high of coming out of the water and looking for their time. But it doesn't take long before it sinks in."
