Ethan McAreavy ’18 stands by the Coralville Recreation Center swimming pool. The No. 9 ranked Trojans faced No. 10 Cedar Rapids Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Ethan McAreavy ’18

A multi-talented athlete, Ethan McAreavy emphasizes the team aspect of swimming as he swims for West.

George Liu, Videographer, Anchor

West Side Story: When did you first start swimming?

Ethan McAreavy: I first started at Northwest Junior High, then got involved with IFLY up until last summer. Now, I’m just training with the high school team.

WSS: What made you start IFLY?

EM: I got involved in IFLY through my cousin.

WSS: Why did you leave IFLY last summer?

EM: I really wanted to focus on football, but I’m soon going to be doing both football and swimming during the summer again.

WSS: What have you enjoyed most about this season so far?

EM: I enjoy the meets the most.

WSS: What about the meets make them your favorite part of swimming for West?

EM: When you are swimming your relays and you look over before or after the race and seeing the whole team on their feet cheering. It’s practically the best feeling.

WSS: What are your best events?

EM: I swim the 50 [freestyle], the 100 [freestyle], and the [freestyle] relays.

WSS: What are your goals for this year?

EM: Keep improving and building the team up. I also want to make it to state and compete at that level.

WSS: What inspires you to keep swimming?

EM: Hearing and watching my friend Aidan Keen [’16]. Also there was a push by my parents to try out the sport.

WSS: What are your future plans for swimming?

EM: Finish out my junior year. Swim during the summer after football workouts and aim towards finishing my senior year right.

Julie Peterson: Cafeteria manager

West Side Story: “What are your plans after retirement?”

Julie Peterson: “The most important thing to me is my children are grown and live in Minneapolis, so I’ll be spending time with them. I’m really excited for that. And I just need to make sure to decompress.”

WSS: “What will you miss the most?”

JP: “My favorite memories are just seeing the kids’ faces every day … I mean it so sincerely when I say that West High kids are so polite … nobody’s perfect, but man, like 95% of these kids come through, even the ones that might have a troubled day or have troubles at home.”

WSS: “What are your favorite memories at West?”

JP: “My favorite memories are just seeing the kids face every day.”

WSS: What advice do you have for new teachers and students in the district?

JP: “Always be positive and look out for each other and your teammates and know that the administration here at West High is your go-to, they’ll always help you with everything.”