This past weekend, the Blue Waves swim team took to Tupelo, Miss. for the 2019 State Swim Meet on Oct. 26. Senior Samantha Broussard and junior Hardy Cooke were the only ones on the team to qualify for state, but neither qualified for the finals.

Broussard competed in the 100 yard butterfly and 100 yard backstroke. While she did shave off time, she did not make the cut for the finals in the either event. Her nerves were high all throughout the day since state was predicted to be difficult.

“I was so nervous. I don’t usually get nervous before meets but this one being the last one had my nerves everywhere,” Broussard said. “I also really don’t like swimming the 100 fly, so I was super nervous for that.”

Cooke competed in the 50 yard free and the 100 yard free. He added time to both of his events but also did not make it to the finals.

 “I didn’t do as well as I thought, even though I put a lot of effort in,” Cooke said.

While they may not have placed at state, both swimmers reflected on the season as a whole.

“I’m happy. Swim is my favorite sport, and I’m very sad it’s time to let it go. But, I’m so proud of everyone that stuck with the team from day one, and I can’t wait to see what they can do next year when there’s actually a pool,” Broussard said. “I don’t think I did better at state than any meet per say, but I do think it was the most stressful meet of the season.”

Cooke, however, had differing views from Broussard.

“I feel like this season could have been much better,” Cooke said. “I didn’t put in enough hours of practice or workout to have gotten the results I expected. I didn’t perform as well at state than I thought I was going to. I actually swam much better at North Half.”

Both swimmers are already looking forward to seeing what’s in store for the next swim season.