The Southwest men’s swim team is coming off an extremely successful season in 2023. The team placed fourth at their section meet and broke the Southwest team record in the Medley Relay. The team is hopeful to recruit more swimmers this year and do even better this season and at sections and Junior Varsity champs. The Navigator interviewed one of the captains, Gus Rudenick (‘25), about what the team is about and his hopes for next season.

Dylan Fleming (DF): What is your name and role on the team?

Gus Rudenick (GR): Gus. My name is Gus Rudenick and I am the captain/hype man of the swim team.

DF: When does your season start and do you guys have captains’ practice?

GR: Is December after November? December 2nd is the season start and captains’ practices November 20th-26th.

DF: What do practices look like?

GR: Usually we do like 1000 yards [40 lengths of 25 yards] warm up, and then we do our preset, which is usually some IM [Individual Medley, which includes all four competitive strokes], some drill, and is about 1500 yards, and then our main set is usually about 1500 yards, and we do lots of freestyle, 100s, 200s, 150s, a lot of mid distance stuff, and then we finish with a cooldown.

DF: What should someone know that wants to join the swim team?

GR: Anyone can join, and if you think you’re not a great swimmer, you’re probably not that bad of a swimmer, and we’re a whole bunch of fun!