February 9, 2012

The Western Albemarle Girl's Swim and Dive team will try to defend their state championship this weekend in Christiansburg.

Western won last year's championship in the final relay event of the meet.

"I'm pumped and really excited and I think it's definitely going to take all the divers and swimmers together to hopefully repeat," Senior Co-Captain Seana Acker said. "But I think that all the hard work we put in this season, it's definitely possible. We're all really excited."

The Warriors' senior class has not lost a dual meet, Jefferson District title or Region II title in their careers.

"Individually we all want to do well and the legacy of Western swimming is great and so we want to keep that up and we don't want to be the ones to I guess fail in the end," Senior Co-Captain Katie Lesemann added.

Head Coach Diana Bowen took over the program four years ago and the Warriors have seen a gradual progression since. They finished in third place in the state meet in 2009, second in 2010, and won the state title last year.

"To see our first group of seniors work for four years and have this culmination, and a shot at another state title, is just so special," Bowen said. "It shows how hard the girls have worked, how dedicated they are and the culture that they've built on the team."