From November 6 through November 9, Xavier swim and dive competed in the Division I state finals, coming out on top with a total score of 398 points. The Gators won overall fastest time in several events such as the 200 yard medley relay, 200 yard individual medley (IM) and 100 yard breaststroke.
Xavier swim and dive has not won a state title in eight years. Many credit this victory to the resilient upperclasswomen and impressive underclasswomen.
The road to victory was in no way easy for the leaders of this year’s team. Spirited senior swimmer and co-captain Ginger Mago ‘25 suffered a debilitating injury following her freshman year of swimming that prevented her from competing for the following two seasons.
“I got an MRI that showed two herniated spinal discs in my L3 L4 and L4 L5 lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease. The herniation of the discs was creating the non-stop stabbing sciatic nerve pain affecting my right leg. That back pain prevented me from every small rotation, flexion and motion the sport of swimming requires,” Mago said.
Ginger’s love for the sport of swimming and her Xavier team never withered, no matter the struggles brought her way. “Having swimming suddenly ripped away and my doctors demand I take a break broke my heart, but my Xavier teammates and swim community helped me through one of my toughest times by supporting me and being there for me,” Mago added.
Another one of the top swimmers on the team and San Jose State commit Genevieve George ‘25 had her fair share of obstacles as well. George reflects, “After not being able to swim my freshman year and most of sophomore year, coming back to swim meant everything. I truly didn’t know if I’d ever be back to where I was before my illness but I ended up doing better.”
During her early years at Xavier, George was diagnosed with Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), prohibiting her from competing as a young Gator. This diagnosis, while temporarily keeping her out of the pool, never stopped Genevieve from being one of Xavier’s top swimmers.
George not only placed highly in every event she swam this year, she also broke the Xavier record with her time in the 100 yard butterfly.
Both Mago and George exemplify what it means to be resilient, dedicated athletes. These qualities are why they were named captains of this year’s team.
Rounding out the impressive Xavier team were the “baby gators.”
“The incoming freshmen were excited and ready to swim. I think having them come in with such a positive attitude, giving it their all, made the team work together better,” George said.
One of these remarkable swimmers included freshwoman Adelyn Burns ‘28. Burns was a part of every Gator gold. She placed first in the 200 IM and 200 yard breaststroke, and was one of the four swimmers placing first in the 200 yard medley relay.
In light of many other successes in the world of swimming, Burns attributes this season’s experience as her favorite. “The Xavier swim team is far more of a close-knit and supportive team than any other I have been on. Everyone on the team lifts each other up and has so much positive energy, allowing everyone to have fun while we are swimming,” Burns said.
After years of coming up short, this team of supportive, talented swimmers came out on top. The Gators beat the second place finishers by 31 points, an astonishing gap for a state championship.
“I think I broke down in tears three different times,” Mago said. “I was so overcome with emotion. Having our family, friends and teammates made this a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with love, excitement, bittersweetness and gratitude. It’s one I will cherish forever.”
