“We’re Not the Fastest, But We’re the Loudest”: Unity On the Swim Team
Sophie Aguilar | Feb. 24, 2026
An empty pool at the 2026 Independent South Swim Conference (ISSC) in Charlotte, N.C. (Sarina Maki)
The Warren Wilson College’s (WWC) swim team underwent an unusual season, including changes in leadership, yet the team was able to persevere thanks to the dedication and hard work of its co-captains.
At the beginning of the 2025-26 swim season, there was an interim coach, who left shortly after joining the team. The absence of a coach led to seniors Sarina Maki and Elena Wheeler stepping up and becoming co-captains.
Wheeler has been swimming competitively since she was six years old, taking breaks periodically throughout middle and high school. She has spent the last three years on the WWC swim team, noting that the highlight of her season was the team and the environment it provides.
“There were a lot of times when I didn’t think we would have a season, that we’d have a team,” Wheeler said. “There was a lot of uncertainty, so I think the people who did show up, that was incredible… It’s been a really incredible experience for me, a really awesome environment. I love my teammates.”
The Warren Wilson College (WWC) swim team poses for a photo on press day last fall in Swannanoa, N.C. (WWC Athletics)
Maki shares the same appreciation for the team. They swam competitively throughout high school, joining the WWC team last year.
“The highlight for the season for me was just getting to know people,” Maki said. “It was a big privilege for me to be co-captains with Elena Wheeler, and I really enjoyed working with her throughout the season. I’m really grateful for the new people that joined the team, Silas [Nichols], Lucy [Stewart] and Kai [Walters].”
The WWC Swim Team poses for a photo at the Independent South Swim Conference (ISSC) in Charlotte, N.C. From left: Kai Walters, Silas Nichols, Elena Wheeler, Sarina Maki, Elizabeth Gembczynski and Lucy Stewart.
The uncertainty of not knowing who the coach was going to be caused the co-captains some stress, but they were able to work through and manage what they could. Nichols is a first year swimmer for WWC. He applauded the co-captains’ abilities, especially their work with supporting the team through the rocky changes in leadership.
“It was truly all them,” Nichols said. “They encouraged everyone to show up to practices. They handled the transitions of coaches very well. They gave a sense of stability that really made everyone feel like it was going to be okay, even when it was clear that it wasn’t ideal right now, but we were going to get there… They did a very good job of keeping the team together.”
Maki and Wheeler stepped up to the roles of co-captains because of their love for the team. They wanted to see the team strive as a whole, even if it meant taking on more responsibilities for themselves. Wheeler has held a leadership position of some sort since her freshman year, when she started driving the team van to and from practice and meets, because the team has to travel due to the fact that WWC does not currently have a running pool. The co-captains’ goals were to provide the team with groundedness throughout the changes in coaches, and during the times when there was not a coach.
Co-captains Sarina Maki and Elena Wheeler pose with teammate Potato Harvey last fall for a sports press day in Swannanoa, N.C. at Warren Wilson College. (WWC Athletics)
“Being on a team, to me, means it’s kind of like being a part of a family,” Wheeler said. “You care for everybody, and everyone is going through their own things and bringing their own perspectives and personalities to the table. We have a very supportive environment within the team.”
Having the support of teammates and captains that understand what the team needs is a large motivator for the swimmers. Swimmers should feel comfortable on the team. The captains play a large role in creating an environment to aid in this.
“I think the biggest thing is just encouraging your teammates to be the best version of themselves,” Nichols said. “Personally, I struggled with a lot of motivation and feeling like I belonged when the season first began… But Elena was just so supportive and I didn’t want to let her down. That was the biggest thing that drove me.”
Elizabeth Gembczynski, Lucy Stewart, Elena Wheeler and Sarina Maki take a photo at the Independent South Swim Conference (ISSC) in Charlotte, N.C.
While doing everything in their power to support the team, Wheeler and Maki still had to manage being swimmers themselves. Maki expressed their appreciation for Wheeler, specifically noting her effective communication skills. They shared how having a partner who is equally as passionate about the sport helps take some of the pressure off of being a captain.
“I think that it was definitely a big transition as a team, like craving having this external stability of having someone else to manage everything,” Maki said. “It’s definitely difficult as a student, and a worker on campus, and trying to be your own individual athlete, to also try to have that bigger picture.”
Wheeler and Maki have provided the swim team with immense support and gratitude. Their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed by the team. With the season having just ended, the team focused on what they are grateful for, which was having a strong community and the connections that have come from it.