Coming off of a 20-8 season that included a district title, the girls basketball team lost senior Katie Rembold to the swim team.
Although injured for her whole junior season, through cheering and motivating, she helped younger players on the team including junior Melanie Wasserman.
“Katie was always cheering us on and helped us so much as we continued past districts,” Wasserman said. “I can’t really imagine having games without Katie this year.”
Despite playing basketball since kindergarten, the injuries she sustained before her junior season were a contributing factor for the switch. Diagnosed as a problem with the talus bone in the foot, the injury developed into nagging pain in the foot and ankle.
“It’s feeling good now,” Rembold said. “Swimming is great therapy to help build back lost muscles.”
Despite being frustrated by the time she’s missed due to injury, swimming provides a new challenge and way to compete.
“Swimming is such a different sport from basketball,” Rembold said. “Practices have been pretty tough on me mainly because I’m used to really laid back summer swim team practices and the school team is such a big change.”
Unlike basketball, where plays and communication are used, swimming practices revolve around the individual.
“Swimming doesn’t give as much time to chit chat because you’re face is in the water most of practice but as far as I can tell they seem like a great group of girls,” Rembold said. “Coach Meyer and coach Paul are really nice and super welcoming.”
Along with swimming, Rembold participates in numerous school activities. She is the student body president and also plays volleyball in the fall and manages the boys volleyball team in the spring.
“I get pretty stressed out about everything, but my friends and family help me stay sane. It’s been hard figuring out a way to deal with homework, practices, school, StuCo events and everything like that,” Rembold said. “But so far I’m alive and still able to function so obviously I’m doing something right.”
Only a couple of weeks into the season, Rembold isn’t sure what she will swim, but will look to contribute.
“I think it’s great that she’s expanding her profile and showing everyone that she is capable of doing any sport,” senior Kelilah Liu said. “I feel like she will make a good addition to the team in personality and skill.”
Girls swimming will face Parkway North, Dec. 10 for their first meet of the season. Rembold will start the season swimming the 50 freestyle and the 200 freestyle relay.
“Katie’s got lots of spirit and she will definitely add to the motivation on the team,” senior Allison Bain said. “She will also be a solid swimmer for spots that we need to be filled.”
