For Senior Captain Abby Miko, swim is far more than just a sport that lasts four high school seasons; it’s a 365-day-a-year commitment. 

She began competitive swimming in the seventh grade after swimming for fun her whole life. “I joined the team because my friends were doing it, and I’ve always wanted to because I’ve done a lot of sports,” said Miko. 

Miko’s dedication has paid off in the pool, where her favorite events are the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke. At last year’s Naugatuck Valley League championship meet, Miko placed first in the 50-yard freestyle with a personal record of 24.55 seconds. “I would like to go under 24 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle,” said Miko. “I would also like to break the 100-yard freestyle record.” 

Beyond the pool, Miko’s favorite team tradition is the bonding parties in the summer and the sleepover after the Naugatuck Valley League championship meet. Things like the sleepover and the bonding parties in the summer really help the team become a family in a short amount of time.  

Miko is very excited to watch the new divers, Freshman Giuliana Amorosino and Senior Ava Cabezas succeed this season. She also looks forward to seeing Sophomore Wuysie Dabre do well this season.  “I know she has a lot of potential and has been working a lot in the off-season.”

 Miko advises new swimmers and divers to trust the process, put in consistent effort, and lean on your team. Above all, she believes that having faith in both your coach and your teammates is the key to success.

 Putting all her energy into the physical element of the sport, her effort, and passion into one practice or one meet allows Miko to leave everything else at the edge of the pool deck and dive headfirst into the sport she loves most.

Miko feels swimming remains one of the most underrated sports at school. “I feel like people don’t really see a lot of the things that go on behind the scenes. [They] don’t see all the work that people put in; they just see our accomplishments.”