Five years after the first Arlington High School student-athletes swam alongside their Fremont teammates thanks to the schools' co-op, Lizzie Meyer signed to compete collegiately in the sport Tuesday morning.
The AHS senior — who also participated in volleyball — will swim with Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln next school year.
“I don't take this for granted because some people don't have those opportunities,” Meyer said. “High school swimming is just a completely different atmosphere from club. It really helped build me as a swimmer and a teammate.”
A state medalist, the future Prairie Wolf picked her new school for its coach, Kyle Hunt, and the team atmosphere.
“Coach Hunt is a lot like my head coach, David (Struble),” Meyer said. “They both have similar coaching styles.”
The coaches also believe in bringing together swimmers who treat each other like family, she added. The swimmer witnessed it when she visited with her future teammates.
“I think having that in college will be beneficial,” Meyer said.
Now, though, the Tigers — including their five Washington County swimmers — will focus on the new prep season, which started Thursday in Columbus.
“I'm more motivated to keep getting better,” Meyer said.
The Nebraska Wesleyan recruit won't have to skip steps in her progression either. While competing for NSAA medals, she'll know she has more time in the pool to come.
