The NPHS swim team glides into the new season
Led by a brand new head coach, the NPHS swim team enters the 2024-25 spring sport season. Coach Treci Horowitz aims to bring the team closer together, while also understanding how each individual can grow their skills. Despite being new to NPHS, Horowitz is not new to swimming, as she has coached at a variety of schools for 48 years.
This year, Horowitz aims to bring the team to California Interscholastic Federation [CIF], along with hopefully qualifying for state. “I teach to the individual student athlete. Everybody has a different way of learning. Everybody is at a different level, and my job is to get to know what level you’re on and grow you from there,” Horowitz said.
Lilli Fitzsimmons, junior swimmer on varsity, is beginning her third season on the team and fourth year swimming competitively. Fitzsimmons believes the most rewarding aspect of swimming is being able to improve one’s skills and watch progress made over time. Horowitz prepares her swimmers for meets as she prioritizes working on each type of stroke as well as different ways to enter the water. “I joined the team because I started swimming from a young age and loved all the great people you meet. It has impacted my life by motivating me to get better in the sport I love,” Fitzsimmons said.
Earning his place on the varsity team after six years of swimming competitively, Leo Du, freshman, dives into his first year swimming on the NPHS swim team. At swim practice, Du enjoys spending time with the team and is inspired to continue developing over the next four years by overserving the upperclassman on the team. “My favorite part of the swim team is when I get to talk to my friends. I would say the team is kind of like a family. I especially like our coach, Coach Treci [Horowitz]. She’s amazing,” Du said.
With a new coach leading them, no matter what stroke is being swam, swimmers are working to improve while also creating new relationships. As more meets approach, such as a dual meet against Thousand Oaks on March 26, Horowitz hopes to help her athletes grow while providing a welcoming atmosphere. “I’m making new memories every day. So far, they’re all my favorite,” Horowitz said.
