Max Louie, ‘25, Boys Tonka Swim and Dive

A buzzer goes off, and the outside world disappears. Suddenly, tests, conflicts, and worries lose their weight and float like bubbles to the surface. Reality is forgotten; all that matters now is the swimmer and how long they can go before they have to break through to the surface and breathe again. Max Louie, a senior for the Minnetonka Boys Swim Team, is familiar with this feeling. In a recent interview, he commented, “I feel nervous every time that I [get] up to that point but once I get in the water it […] goes away.” Max has been swimming for Minnetonka since he was six. Not only does the sport itself serve as a mental oasis when he’s competing, but the team makes it all worthwhile, too: “It’s probably the biggest part of why I keep swimming- it’s the team,” Max said. He has committed to going to the University of Maine to swim on the team competitively, “I think a lot of people on the team that I’ve met so far are pretty cool, it’ll definitely be different from the highschool team but I think it’ll be a good change.” College and high school can both be stressful environments, but Max is ready to push himself; even when he has to breach the surface for air again, he will finish strong.

Taylor Landstrom, ‘25, Equestrian

The bond that a person makes with their horse is almost unmatched. Team mates may cheer each other on, supporting their victories and losses, but after an equestrian rider performs with a horse there is a connection made. It wasn’t just the rider competing, the horse was too. Taylor Landstrom is senior at the highschool, she’s been riding since she was four, in a recent interview she remarked, “They’re the sweetest animals, they all want to do their best […] I just call them my children.” Taylor committed to going to Oklahoma State University as a competitive Equestrian rider, “I jump […] jumpers are judged on speed [and] how fast and efficiently [they] can complete [the course][…] it’s considered English riding.” Equestrian riding is very competitive, but when Taylor visited Oklahoma state she recalled, “It just felt right, it was the first visit that I did. After that nothing else compared to it […] it impressed me on how everyone was so close!” Taylor will have to leave her three horses (Elite, Fern, and Kai) behind when she goes to college, but she hopes she can make lasting bonds with her teammates, and with the horses at Oklahoma state. She’s excited not only to jump with the horses, but also to share her experiences with them as fellow teammates.

Annabelle Wentzel, ‘25, 

Every athlete has – right before they compete – a moment of stillness. In those few seconds the anxiety either leads the athlete to a place of distress or helps the athlete remember, I’ve worked really hard for this, I know I can do this, I’m capable of this. When Annabelle Wentzel, a senior for Minnetonka Girls Swim and Dive was recently interviewed she explained, “I’ve been swimming for twelve years…I love competing” She also says that while competing can be nerve racking she’s grateful for her teammates, as they “really [help] each other, they know everyone is nervous and they know what everyone needs when they’re nervous.” Wentzel’s connections with her teammates have helped create a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone on the team. Wentzel has committed to attending the University of Missouri where she’s excited to start this new chapter in her life next year as a competitive swimmer at the college level. While life in general can be stressful, since Wentzel knows that, “[She’s] worked really hard for this, [She] know[s she can do this, she is] capable,” and will always have the support from her friends on the team will make college, even just a little, less chaotic.