Water splashes and buzzers blare as the AGHS swim team wins the title of 2025 Mountain League winners. After a long season, both the boys and girls swim teams achieved a victory and won a league title. The varsity swimmers on this team worked very hard all year, and their hard work paid off. 

“The athletes really do all the work,” AGHS swim and dive coach Russell Peterson said. “We try to have a consistent message and work ethic, but it is up to them to buy into that message and to put the work in.”

Peterson has been the head coach for 13 years and has 5 league wins under his belt—2014-2016, 2021, 2022, and 2025. The League finals were held at AGHS, and the team competed against San Luis Obispo High School, Paso Robles High School, Righetti High School, Santa Maria High School, and Pioneer Valley High School. 

“It was an amazing accomplishment for our athletes,” Peterson said. “Our performances throughout the season made it possible for us to achieve an undefeated season and league championship wins for both the boys and the girls.”

The swim season started in February, and the athletes worked hard all season to achieve their goals. AGHS won with 297 points, beating Paso Robles—the second place team—by nearly 100 points. 

“After doing [swim] for that long, there are some days where I’m exhausted with it, but really it is one of the most rewarding sports,” Ané Smith (‘25) said. “Being able to do good for yourself and your team is a what I love most about it.”

For the seniors, winning League Finals was an especially exciting way to end their high school swimming careers. None of the senior swimmers are committed to college for swimming, so winning league was a high priority for many of them. 

“It is exciting to know that history was made with my team, and knowing that the program will continue to grow and shine as the years go on makes me happy,” Smith. 

Both boys and girls competed in breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle events. Athletes found success in most events, and this success came from a change in the structure of the team. 

“We had a big change this year in running the girls and boys programs as one team, and it could not have gone better,” Peterson said. “The practices were full of energy and competitiveness every day from week one to the end.”

Swimming is very competitive, and the athletes bonded through their love of the sport, which created strong friendships and relationships. These relationships the swimmers have with each other makes their celebrations more exciting as well. 

“This year winning league as a senior was such an accomplishment and a joy to be able to experience with the boys and girls team being combined for the first time in school history,” Smith said. 

After winning, there are traditions that the swimmers like to uphold. For example, after the scores are released and the pool is empty of all athletes, the swimmers push the coaches into the water, and then the team jumps in together. Music fills the pool deck, and everyone splashes each other to celebrate their win. 

“I have been fortunate to have been a part of a lot of teams that have achieved team accomplishments like this, but I have learned over time to enjoy it because it doesn’t happen every year,” Peterson said. 

The strength of this team comes from more than just the ability of the athletes within the pool. This team bonded and worked to improve together, which is why winning League Finals was so fulfilling for the athletes on this team. 

“We spend a lot of time together, both on and off the pool deck, and after a win like this, we enjoy celebrating it together,” Peterson said.