The high school swim team is preparing for an exciting season ahead, with practices scheduled at the YMCA on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3-5 p.m., and early morning practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:15-6:30 a.m.

Coach Gregory Franklin leads the team as the head coach alongside the assistant coach Scott Braswell, who teaches in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Franklin is celebrating a major milestone, being the first coach in five years to coach the team for two consecutive years. 

The team has nearly 20 girls, including a promising swimmer from Spain, Lucia Cabezas (12). 

“We’ve got a bunch of new girls on the team this year, which is awesome,” Franklin said.

Cabezas excels in freestyle and breaststroke and has been swimming in a Spanish club since she was 2 years old. She will also be trying out for soccer in the spring. 

Cabezas has already been a focal part of swimming, showing many of her highlight videos to the coaches. Swimming has been a major part of her life. 

“I’m in a club in Spain, since I was 2 years,” she said.

Coach Gregory Franklin is really optimistic about how the season will go.

“Yeah, I’m so excited,” Franklin said.

With the addition of new swimmers like Lucia Cabezas, the swim team is geared up to start practices and compete at meets. Coach Franklin’s enthusiasm and the team’s tough training schedule fills the season with personal growth and many awards.