A perfect swing off the block and strong kicks with the streamline, but a slow turn off the wall. The two swimmers are neck and neck the whole way through. It’s down to the last 25 yards. The crowd cheers wildly for the last relay legs of the Boys 4 X 100 Freestyle Relay.

On Jan. 16, the Bellaire Cardinal Swim Team faced their long-time rivals, the Lamar Redskins, at Roiling Waters Natatorium in a heated fight to the finish. Lamar started out ahead 23 points on the girls and 19 points on the boys from diving. After many close and strenuous races, the girls finished first over the Skins 155 to 153, while the boys lost 145 to 160.

Varsity swim coach Kristin Wingenroth had high hopes for Thursday’s meet despite the lead Lamar held at the beginning of the competition.

“I was very impressed we were able to make up the points,” Wingenroth said. “Even though we didn’t win on the boys, we had a lot of close races, and I’m satisfied with the moral victory in the swimming portion.”

Since the tryouts in August, the Cardinals began building a diverse and strong team, with plenty of new swimmers in the pool. Freshman Ines Frazier, who placed 2nd in the 50 yard Freestyle and in the 100 yard Breaststroke, saw a side of teamwork she had not seen before.

“As a varsity freshman, you’re seen as the underdog, so there’s a lot of pressure to rise up to you potential,” Frazier said. “Despite the loss of a few swimmers, I was so happy to see both the boys and the girls swim strongly and receive so much support from fellow teammates.”

The Cardinals have not holistically defeated Lamar or won the District competition (which includes Westside and Chavez) in over a decade. Freshman Caitlin Connelly sees the team going far this year in hopes of winning the district championship.

“We are excited and ready to bring all we’ve got at districts,” Connelly said. “I think we have a really good chance at winning it and sending a bunch of people to regionals.”

Wingenroth is helping the team focus on the next step by keeping them grounded despite the win.

“I think we will see even faster swimming at districts,” Wingenroth said. “I think we will surprise the other teams with our performance, but we all have to remember that it’s going to be a totally different mix with Westside’s and Chavez’s swimmers there, too. It’ll be a fun and exciting meet.”

The district meet will be held at the Roiling Waters Natatorium on Jan. 31 at 4 p.m.