Ania Axas '19 has already established herself as one of the greatest swimmers in the history of the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls' Swimming program - maybe the greatest.
In the first meet of the 2017-18 season, Ania showed just how special she is, but not just as a swimmer – as a person.
Ania set two WMA pool records Dec. 2 in a 52-32 win against Kingswood Oxford School, establishing marks in the 200 meter individual medley and 100 freestyle.
Ania's motivation, though, came from her desire to help the team, not herself.
"I definitely did it for the team," said Ania, who also swam on the winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. "I knew we were tight on points and we hadn't beaten KO for a long time. To win our first meet of the season puts things into perspective that we could have a really good season. I was excited I could contribute to the overall team points for the girls."
Ania now owns four pool records and four school records. She swam the 200 IM in two minutes, 15.52 seconds, topping the mark from 2010 by nearly three seconds. Her performance in the 100 free was even more impressive, shattering the 1995 record of 56.13 by touching the wall in 54.68.
"The pool record in the 100 free speaks to her versatility," Coach Dan Moran said. "The record had been around a while. It had withstood some Division I athletes who came through here so it's a good benchmark to hit."
While Ania felt fast in the 100 free, she didn't feel she was at her best in the 200 IM. She was surprised to see her time, although at the moment she had no idea she had set a pool record.
"The 200 IM didn't feel good at all," she said. "I felt horrible throughout the whole race and I was shocked I went the time I went because I felt so horrible."
WMA competes Dec. 6 at Worcester Academy at 3 p.m.