Shawano Community High School swimmer Zach Soper came up just short against Grafton senior Al Nenning for the 100-yard backstroke state championship in February.
That moment has stuck with Soper, now a junior, as he works toward his goal of making it to the WIAA Division 2 meet in Madison for the third time.
“I never really forgot about it. I think about it every day when I’m practicing, thinking about that moment and just thinking about how it felt to get second,” Soper said. “I don’t want it to happen again. I’m just going to try harder and try to get first.”
As much as he’s thought about that race, it’s been the success of his teammates that has motivated Soper this season.
Shawano coach Walberto Colon said success comes from the team’s three core values.
“The three values we work on here are commitment, hard work and respect,” Colon said. “Those are three key things that will make him successful. Not only him, but his teammates as well.”
So far, it’s been working. Last month the team beat Lakeland Union, last year’s Great Northern Conference champion and a team Shawano hasn’t beaten the last few years.
The win helped the team bond.
“The win against Lakeland really brought us together as a team,” Soper said. “We were celebrating in the locker room. It just really brought everybody together, got everyone more excited about the season.”
Shawano got the win despite having more than a few swimmers who are new to the sport.
“With more people, there’s newcomers who haven’t ever swam competitively before,” Soper said. “We’ve had to teach them, and they’ve really come along and are getting better. Everybody learned really quickly, and everybody is doing really well.”
The Hawks will get a rematch with Lakeland Union on Jan. 30 in Minocqua and then compete in the Great Northern Conference meet in Rhinelander on Feb. 7.
Colon said Soper and the team have to focus on those tasks before focusing on state.
“Even though we won, there is still a lot to learn,” Colon said.
If he makes a third trip to state, though, Soper said he’ll be more comfortable than ever.
“I know what it’s like to be at state, so I won’t be overwhelmed by anything,” he said. “I’ve just tried to work harder and focus on different things this year, focus on things I may have messed up before.”
The experience he gained the last two seasons has made him a more focused swimmer, he said.
“I feel a lot better. Even last year I felt better,” Soper said. “I was more relaxed throughout the season. This year I’m feeling really good, and I have more control. I don’t get nervous as often. I just go out there and do my best as often as I can.”
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