As we make our way into November, many of our fall sport seasons come to a close. In the next few weeks, the last remaining Minnetonka High School fall sports team, Girls Swim and Dive, will compete in their final meet of the season. Minnetonka High School Swim Coach, Anna Gard, explains that “the goal of [the swim season] is to build up [your] endurance and break your body down for the first 10-12 weeks, then spend 2 weeks really cutting back so that you can [swim] as fast as you can.” The rigor of high school sports is known to take a toll on the student-athlete, which is why after a sports season it is very important to prioritize physical and mental wellness. Gard stresses the importance of taking a break from intense swimming after the season ends, but encourages athletes to “change the kind of workout” that they do so they can still stay in shape for the next season. For many swimmers, club swimming and off-season weight training serve as lower intensity options for maintaining the conditioning of the high school swim season.
In the rollercoaster of high school academics that weaves around high school sports, Gard reminds student-athletes to “take care of yourselves, and be kind to yourselves.” Her biggest word of advice is “don’t tell yourself anything you wouldn’t tell a friend—I know most of the time we are our own biggest critics.” The most important aspect of being involved in a sport is taking care of yourself, which is a challenge during high school years. If you are taking a break from a high school sport right now, this is a perfect time to focus on your physical and mental wellbeing.
Anika Tungseth, ‘26, a swimmer on the Minnetonka Girls Swim and Dive Team, says to “make sure you find balance. Whether it be sleep, eating, school, or being with your friends, it’s important to find that balance that makes you feel good about what you’re doing and who you’re with.” As any student-athlete will tell you, high school sports are a huge commitment that take up a massive amount of time. During a sports season, it is often exhausting to find the time to get homework done, and it can impact the ability to get consistent sleep. In an effort to unwind after the high school swim season, Tungseth works to improve her sleep schedule, as well as “catching up on schoolwork and friendships.” Taking care of yourself can look different for every student-athlete, but finding time for things outside of sports and school can do wonders. As Minnetonka takes a break from high school sports, I urge you to foster balance in your life. Taking care of yourself is not always easy, but it is worth it!
“It’s important to find that balance that makes you feel good about what you’re doing and who you’re with.” Anika Tungseth, ‘26
