Senior Liz Lamkin, sophomore Sophie Mitchell, freshmen Caroline Reinke and Maddie Jarvis stood atop the podium on Dec. 1, 2018, representing the SHS girls swim team at the Cardinal Classic held at SHS. The four smiled for pictures and waved while wearing gold medals after finishing in first place in the last event of the day, the 400-yard freestyle relay. It was the first time the girls swim team finished in first place at the Cardinal Classic in SHS history.

The Lady Cards finished the regular season with a record of 11-2 and broke four school records throughout the season, catalyzing a new beginning for SHS girls swimming, according to junior Megan Frank. However, they aren’t done just yet and are carrying an ambitious mindset into the postseason.

“This is a turning point for Southport swimming,” Frank said.

According to Frank, the reason for the team’s success has been the new mindset and attitude of no longer swimming for fun, but swimming to win. An example of this is that the swim team typically practices twice a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The swimmers also train out of and in the pool everyday. According to Frank, this work has paid off and will continue to show in sectionals, where Frank believes many school records will be broken.