Swimming: Sabers looking to take next step towards state title

BISMARCK, N.D. — The Legacy Sabers girls swim team is off to a strong start this season, already breaking school records. For this Sabers squad, their returning core is looking to take the next step towards winning a state title.

With that goal in mind, a pair of key returners for this squad are reigning individual state champion, Abby Erickson, and two-time defending WDA champ, Tova Blikre. After big performances a year ago, the duo is focused on improving their times and being the best leaders they can be.

“I think they’ve both done a nice job,” head coach Thomas Wheeling says. “They’ve certainly both come a long way since seventh grade and I think that they practice hard and they race even harder. They’re just great leaders for the team.”

“I just don’t want to be overconfident,” Erickson adds. “I’m just going to practice the way I did last year. Just keep practicing to better myself, better my times. That’s just how I’m going to look into it.”

“Mostly, I’m just trying to keep getting my times better,” says Blikre. “I know where I was at last year. I’m just trying to make it better. Not as much focus on the place, but on the times and then just getting points for my team.”

As Legacy looks to improve their times across the season and contend atop the WDA, they will be spending a lot of time together on the bus. The Sabers are competing only five times at their home pool this season. However, the team is excited to travel across North Dakota and grow closer as a group during the trips.

“It doesn’t bother us too much to be on the road,” Wheeling says. “These are pools that a lot of the girls have swam in almost every year, so they’re pretty comfortable.”

“Just kind of making the bus rides fun,” Blikre adds. “I know in the years past we’ve done themes where we all wore onesies or all the white lie t-shirts. Just keeping the energy on the bus high, so that even when we’re on the road and on the bus a lot, it just keeps it fun and keeps the energy high, so that all are the girls are excited to be there and ready to swim by the time we get there.”

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