The 2023-24 Davie High School swim team has experienced one of its most successful seasons in the past few years. Since their beginning, swimmers have always been met with the remark, “Davie County has a swim team?” But through hard work and many hours of practice, Davie County has risen to the top of the CPC conference. This year, Davie beat six out of the seven teams that they swam during the regular season. Through all of this success, the men’s team continued to prevail, having an undefeated season and making it to the state championship.
This year, standout freshman Zach Hirata was able to claim his spot as a powerhouse on the team. Hirata clenched an automatic qualifying mark for regionals in the 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard butterfly, and 100-yard freestyle. On top of that, senior Earnhardt Harris continued to display his dominance, automatically qualifying for regionals in both the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke early in the season. Joining Harris and Hirata, seniors Aiden Davis, Bryce Harnsberger, and sophomore Logan Zulger proved that they were one of the best relay teams in the region. On top of that, they also broke two school records in both the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay. These performances allowed this team to qualify for the state championship in the 200-yard freestyle.
Coach Tak Hirata comments on this success, “[the] boys’ team had one of the most successful seasons the team has seen in over a decade. We knew coming into the season that the relay teams had a chance at the record board – but they truly showed everyone that they belonged by breaking each of the 200 relay (medley and free) repeatedly. We have always said that if they trust the process and keep working at their goals, the results will follow.”
This year, the women’s team continued to grow to new levels, only losing to RJ Reynolds and West Forsyth in the regular season. Top performers included Logan White, Sarah Rajacich, and Sophia Brady. These women were a part of all three regional qualifying relays and White was able to make the regional cut for the 100-yard breaststroke. This season, the team took in a lot of promising freshmen, who showed coaches a window into the bright future of the program. Throughout the season, freshman Samara McDaniel was able to establish that she was a rising star on this season. Not only was she able to secure her spot on the 200-yard freestyle relay team for regionals she also put up many impressive personal records throughout the season. Senior Logan White continued to break her personal records in the 100-yard breaststroke, obtaining her goal of making it to regionals. Junior Sarah Rajacich continued to show success throughout the season in many events. Even though she specializes in the 100-yard butterfly, she showed great improvement in both the 50 and 100-yard freestyle, holding the team’s fastest times for the season. When asked about the season, Rajacich states “this season was super fun! Through the hard work and dedication of my teammates we were able to have a wonderful season, and I am very proud of everyone’s accomplishments. As for one of my favorite moments I would have to say the Conference meet. We were able to suit up, which meant a lot of fast times and PRs. The energy throughout the team was electric and I loved all the support everyone was showing each other.”
Aside from all of the work the swimmers put into this season, Coaches Tak Hirata, Lance White, and Chad Zuleger set this team up for success with the many hours they have dedicated to reviving this program. All of this work was rewarded when Coach Lance White won the CPC men’s coach of the year at the conference meet in late January. This award was extremely deserving, and all of the swimmers are very glad that their commitment to this team is being recognized.
Throughout the season, seniors Sophia Brady, Grace Butler, Aiden Davis, Bryce Harnsberger, Earnhardt Harris, Lilli Seats, and Logan White made it their mission to have an exciting end to their high school career. Coach Hirata says “we had a fantastic year overall and this group of Seniors were just a special group. They are some of the most honest, hardworking, fun-loving, good human beings. We, the coaching staff, were so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them the last three years”
Through many team dinners and bus rides, these seniors created a positive and uplifting environment for all swimmers. Aiden Davis has been on the swim team for all four years and is one of the captains. As he reflects on his time on the team, he states, “The Davie Swim Team is the best group of friends that I have! It is honestly like a second family.” He continues to say “I am so lucky that I got to spend my last year at Davie with them. This season has been filled joy, laughter, partying, frustration, and tears from everyone. I am honored to be one of the team’s captain and friend. I can’t wait to see what they can do for the seasons to come!”
This season was outstanding for Davie County swimming. From the addition of the freshmen to the success that was seen in both the boy’s and girl’s teams, the future of Davie Swimming is bright.
