This week’s Athletes of the Week features our Girls Swim state qualifiers. Palisade Senior Elli Dorr, Senior Kaci Hoskin, Junior Emily Hardin, Junior Leah Talbott, Junior Riley O’Hara, and Freshman Kennedy Kostur are your Female Athletes of the Week. These remarkable athletes have earned the honor of being named Athletes of the Week through their impressive performances and dedication to their sport.
With two or more years of swimming experience, these girls have grown to love the sport, all having joined swim because of a motivation or skill. Not only have they grown to love the sport, but they have also thrived in the relationships that they have built. Hoskin commented, “I feel like we just overall support each other and we are always hyping each other up.” Hardin added, “A lot of sets aren’t always fun and no one likes them, but we motivate each other through positivity.” Kostur agreed, saying, “You just have to get the hard part out of the way and then you’re good.” Lastly, Dorr further stated, “We motivate each other by cheering each other on during the meets and at practice as well.”
These girls are six out of eight swimmers from Palisade High School, in which they swim through Grand Junction High School. Over the years, there has been individual success and team success, but this year there was one achievement that stood out to them all. Hoskin reflected saying, “Our greatest accomplishment this year as a team was winning Conference, because we haven’t done that in a really long time.”
While this isn’t the first time to reach the state level for Hardin, Dorr and Talbott, this is the first time for Hoskin, O’Hara and Kostur. Hardin expressed the emotions that fall into play saying, “Regardless of how much experience you have, the state level can be overwhelming. Having people who have experienced it before can definitely help bring a little more calmness. The most important part is enjoying each other’s company and the experience.” Dorr added, “I think the most important role we play is making sure that we make state just as fun for the younger girls as the upperclassmen did for us when we were underclassmen.” As for the athletes who are qualifying for the first time, they are ecstatic, but also nervous at the same time. “It has been a goal since the beginning of the season to qualify. Now that it is finally in play it is really exciting,” stated Hoskin.
These girls have shown exceptional dedication and teamwork, leading to impressive achievements like qualifying for state. Their strong support for one another will continue to drive their success as they head into the state competition, making this season one to remember. Congratulations to these amazing female athletes for receiving Athletes of the Week!
