This year’s Holy Cross swim and dive team is thriving with around 35 members led by head coach Matt Mongelli and assistant coach Anne Depman.
The team partakes in weekly dual meets against the schools in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC), and during championship season from January to February they have meets every weekend against schools in the DMV.
Freshman Charlotte Christakis, a swimmer and diver at Holy Cross, has had a welcoming and enjoyable experience on the team.
“I feel included on the team, for it being my first year,” Christakis said. “Everyone is very nice and I’m having lots of fun.”
The swim and dive team sets up many outings and team bonding activities to join the group together and to get a closer bond. Sophomore Eden Fiery has been a part of the team for two years now and explains the outings to be some of the best memories she will cherish forever.
“Last year we went to a glow night at Sky Zone, I made some great connections with my teammates from that,” Fiery mentioned. “I also love the bus rides to WCAC Championships. We love to blast the music and get excited for the meet to come.”
The Aquatartans take on many meets through their season, and to accommodate the high level of competition they have they have to practice every day of the week. Coach Mongelli has coached the Tartans for three years now.
“Every year I love to see new people come join the team,” Mongelli shared. “I love to watch them grow throughout their years at Holy Cross. My daughters are also on the team and it’s fun to see them grow and make memories on the team.”
As a team, the Aquatartans grow closer every year. Through old and new traditions the team is able to make the memories that will last. They love to cheer loud before every meet and to have weekly questions to get to know each other.
“Over my next two years I hope to continue the fun spirit. I want to make new traditions and have a better bond as a team,” Fiery said. “I hope to make themes for our meets, have more team outings, and to bring even more people to the team next year.”
One of the meets the Aquatartans participate in is Easterns at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania. This meet is a two-day travel meet and team members consider it to be the best meet of the year.
“Easterns is my favorite meet. I love getting to the hotel and finding out our roommates,” Fiery emphasized. “We have to wake up early in the morning to swim which isn’t the best but I look forward to the Qdoba and the Menchies every year.”