The Section IX swim preliminaries took place on November 1. In order to qualify for preliminaries, a swimmer must swim the standard time for the event. The top 16 in each event advanced and participated in Section IX finals, which were held on November 3 at Valley Central.

Swimmers from the Monroe-Woodbury girls varsity swim team swam at sections. The team entered sections with a 9-1 dual meet record; the one loss was to Pine Bush. The team also placed second at OCIAA’s, which took place on October 20.

In order to win sections, they must obtain the most amount of points they can. In swimming and diving, there are 12 events, and each place gets a certain amount of points, with first place getting 16 and each successive place receiving one less than the one before it.

“As of right now, Pine Bush is our biggest competition,” said Coach Wright.

Monroe-Woodbury has won sections in three consecutive years in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

The swimmers prepared for the meet in various ways.

“I’ve been training hard, eating healthy, stretching, and trying to stay positive,” said junior Jessica Ebner, who has been swimming on the varsity team since seventh grade.

Ebner swam the 100 butterfly, 100 back, and 200 free relay at sections. However, every swimmer swims different events and approaches sections differently.

“A swimmer’s biggest challenge is it’s a big team sport, but ultimately in a race, you’re by yourself and no one’s gonna jump in to help you to the finish line,” said Coach Wright.

Sections are the last meet of the year for some of the swimmers. Other swimmers will continue their varsity season and attend the states meet. Monroe-Woodbury’s 200 free relay team has qualified for states.

“I’m really nervous, but excited at the same time,” said Ebner.