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JDHS senior swim and dive team members reflect on careers
- Klas Stolpe
- 2 minutes ago
- 16 min read
From mermaids underwater, blowing bubbles, good parking, bananas and state championships, they have seen it all
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears swim and dive team honored their senior team members during the Juneau Invitational on Saturday at Dimond Park Aquatic Center.
Seniors Kaden Aldrich, Moira Bahn, Easton Berger, Alexander Davis, Joshua Edwards, Bailey Fisher, Chedi Giron, Amy Liddle, Kennedy Miller, Brady Newport, Ben Pallenberg, Sam Pallenberg, Lena "Maddox" Rasmussen, Avery Smith, Riley Soboleff, Kaelyn Szefler and Adeline Williams were feted. They were asked a series of questions by the Juneau Independent prior to the celebrations.
KADEN ALDRICH
Favorite swim cap: My favorite swim cap is my Ketchikan Killer Whales swim cap. It is a reminder of where I started swimming and competing.
First swim memory: I was 10 years old, I remember feeling like I hated it and that I wasn’t going to keep doing it.
Fondest JDHS memory: Winning regions for the third time in a row, but this time with the Juneau boys. It was a great experience and seeing what the team could accomplish together.
Advice to younger student/athletes: Your coach isn’t always right, but they’re not always wrong either.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would like to travel to Mexico because they have good food and a beautiful country.
Favorite food: My favorite food is steak.
Favorite music: I enjoy listening to Kanye West and Rihanna before my race. It gets me more energized and ready to compete
Favorite swim brand: The best brand for suits and goggles is Arena by far.
MOIRA BAHN
Favorite dive: My favorite dive is an inward one-and-a-half because it is scary but fun!
First dive memory: I started diving as a sport when I was 14, but I remember going to the pool and doing flips when I was a lot younger and still doing competitive gymnastics.
Fondest JDHS memory: My favorite memory at JDHS was my AP environmental science class!
Advice to younger student/athletes: Just throw the scary dives even if you might slap.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would love to travel back to all the different places I’ve lived as a military kid.
Favorite movie: My favorite movie right now is probably "Project Hail Mary."
Favorite music: I definitely prefer diving to music as long as it’s more peppy. I hate diving to sad music.
Favorite swim brand: Jolyn.
EASTON BERGER
Favorite dive: My favorite dive is the reverse dive because it’s my highest-scoring dive.
First dive memory: I can’t remember how old I was, but I remember diving with my older brother when he was in high school and thinking it would be cool for me to do the same when I get to high school.
Fondest JDHS memory: My fondest memory at JDHS is traveling and competing with the same teammates and new ones every year.
Advice to younger student/athletes: A piece of advice I would give to younger swimmers, divers, and students is that they shouldn’t be afraid to try different sports just because they have been doing one most of their life. I would suggest getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things because that’s how I became a diver.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would like to travel to Japan with my family, because it is very beautiful there and I’ve heard they have amazing ski resorts, and I would love to go snowboarding there with my family.
Favorite food: Nachos.
Favorite music: For me, I prefer diving to silence. It really helps me focus on the dive at hand.
Favorite swim brand: Arena swimsuits.
ALEXANDER DAVIS
Favorite dive: Reverse dive, it feels like flying.
First dive memory: I was 17 when I started diving.
Fondest JDHS memory: Diving.
Advice to younger student/athletes: Just because it doesn’t work out in the first few days doesn’t mean you’re bad at it. Don’t make the mistake of giving up, you just never know when you’ll strike gold.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would like to go to Denmark.
Favorite food, book, movie: Lasagna, "The Hobbit," "White Christmas."
Favorite music: I like synthwave a lot, and Eurobeat is my go-to hype music.
Favorite swim brand: Speedo.
JOSHUA EDWARDS
Favorite swim cap: A yellow Punahou Aquatics swim cap from Hawaii. I managed to obtain the cap by trading for it when I was in a meet in Federal Way. I use it as a memento, and it reminds me of all the hard work put into this sport.
Earliest swim memory: I was probably 3 or 4 when I remember anything about swimming. I was taking swim lessons at DPAC, and my mom forced me to wear a bright pink swim cap, which felt very embarrassing at the time. I didn’t want to be there, but the instructors did their best to keep me engaged and teach me to swim.
Fondest JDHS memory: Probably high school state swim my sophomore year. Just the environment of the team and the people who were on it made that entire year one of my most memorable. We had a good meet, and I even got my first medal at state, being on the medley relay. After the meet concluded, we had team dinner at Raising Cane’s. The food there had to be blessed by an angel or something — it was really good. Then a few of the boys and I went to Crumbl Cookie and got boba nearby after dinner and almost threw up because we had too much food. Later that night, we jumped at a trampoline park and went on a midnight drive to cap off the season. We listened to and sang to Bruno Mars that entire trip and made memories I will never forget
Advice to younger student/athletes: Stay consistent and perfect your technique. Staying consistent and attending as many practices as you can is very important. You don’t want to lose your feel in the water and hurt your endurance. Also, a good technique is crucial for swimming faster and reducing drag, so do your drills and make sure your stroke is efficient even when doing drills feels pointless
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would like to travel to California with my family because my dad used to live there, and it’s always fun learning about family history and exploring a new place. The temperature is warm, and there are so many iconic landmarks you can visit. You can never run out of things to do, and there is always something new waiting to be done. It would be fun to go there on a trip and just experience what people down south consider “ordinary.” They also have a lot of yummy food options
Favorite food: My favorite food is a banana. A banana comes in its own natural packaging, keeping it clean from the outside world, and easy to carry around as a snack. They also tell you when they are ready to eat. If they are green, it’s not ready yet. Yellow, they’re ready to eat. Brown, they are no longer ready to eat. They are an easy source of carbs and very nutritious, containing potassium. I eat at least one a day, sometimes more. Bananas are so good you can turn them into a dessert, like a banana split. You can even bake them into banana bread, which is a top 10 greatest food of all time. Banana-flavored items are peak too. Banana smoothies, yogurt, taffy, pie, cereal, crepes and many more.
Favorite music: Before a race, you can usually catch me listening to Kanye West or Kendrick Lamar. I don’t really have a specific type of music I listen to, just anything I think is good. Most of the time, I’m not paying too much attention to the lyrics' meaning; the vibrant instrumentals and the way the lyrics flow with the melody are what pump me up the most
Favorite swim brand: My favorite swim brand for suits has to be Arena. I’ve owned plenty of Arena practice and racing suits, and they are fantastic. Their suits fit great and are comfortable during practice. Their tech suits are fast, efficient, and versatile. They are also relatively cheaper than other racing suits. But the goggles are a different story. I prefer the Speedo Speed Sockets 2.0. I was first introduced to them during my freshman year of high school and haven’t worn any other type or model of goggle since. They fit my eyes perfectly, and they don’t fill with water easily. The straps rest well around my head, and they don’t hurt when I have them on during a long practice
BAILEY FISHER
Favorite swim cap: My favorite swim cap was the swim cap from my Sophomore year. I liked the simplicity of it and how bright of a red it was. It was very easy to see and tell what it was!
First swim memory: I started actually swimming when I was little, probably 3 or 4, and my first memory is of me on the Ketchikan pool steps, putting my head underwater for the first time. My instructor had said there were mermaids underwater, so I was very excited!
Fondest JDHS memory: My fondest memory at JDHS is my whole sophomore year swim season, especially regions and state, and the overall school year!
Advice to younger student/athletes: A piece of advice I would give to younger swimmers is to give it your best and all at every single practice. Find someone to pace with that'll help you improve, or find good friends, they help a lot!
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would like to go to the Bahamas with my family because it is a very bright, beachy place with beautiful water and scenery!
Favorite food: My favorite food is probably Alfredo, especially before a meet!
Favorite music: Anything upbeat by Tate McRae motivates me before a race. I am usually listening to it. Or talking to teammates, that usually motivates/helps me more than music!
Favorite swim brand: My favorite brand for Swimsuits is Jolyn, and my favorite brand for Tech Suits and Goggles is Arena!
CHEDI GIRON
Favorite swim cap: I do not really have a favorite swim cap, I just like them at different times depending on my mood.
First swim memory: I was forced to swim at 3, where at the time I did not even want to get my head under the water. I did not get serious about swim until after Covid.
Fondest JDHS memory: It is hard to say. I would say my music performances and the swim meets give me particularly fond memories. Also most of junior year, since as of writing this it is probably my best academic performance.
Advice to younger student/athletes: Improvement, no matter how small, is better than nothing. Take one day at a time and keep moving forward. Also remember to take breaks if you need to.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would like to go somewhere in Asia with my family. Probably Thailand because we have other family there and it has some cool marine wildlife. Honestly anywhere coastal I would love to visit.
Favorite food: Halibut fish and chips, mangos, and apples.
Favorite music: Music that motivates me is just music I like. I particularly love Gorillaz, and I often listen to video game music as well.
Favorite swim brand: I do not have a favorite brand. I am versatile.
AMY LIDDLE
Favorite swim cap: My favorite is my Western Zones Age Group cap with a polar bear on an ice block and the words “Too Fast to Freeze.”
First swim memory: I was about five years old at the pool in Sitka. I mostly remember being in the water and learning how to blow bubbles.
Fondest JDHS memory: Taking ice baths with my teammates at regions and state. It was definitely not the most comfortable part of the meets, but it became a fun team tradition and a memorable way to recover together.
Advice to younger student/athletes: Try not to compare yourself too much to other people. Whether it’s in the pool or outside of it, you’re really competing with yourself and your own progress.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would like to go to Greece with my family. I’d love to see the islands, explore some of the historical sites, and eat the food.
Favorite food: Soup dumplings.
Favorite music: I usually listen to music before races, but I do not have one specific hype song. Anything upbeat that keeps me from overthinking the race usually works.
Favorite swim brand: Arena for both suits and goggles. I like the fit of their suits, and their goggles have always worked well for me.
KENNEDY MILLER
Favorite swim cap: My favorite swim cap is from my freshman year at state when I was at Thunder Mountain; it’s actually still in the plastic, but it reminds me of the great memories I made that year
First swim memory: I think the furthest back I can remember is when I was about four or five in swim lessons, I remember learning how to blow bubbles underwater
Fondest JDHS memory: My fondest memory at JDHS is from last year at state when we broke the state record in the 200 medley relay. It means a lot to me and whenever I think back on it I just feel so proud to know I was a part of that.
Advice to younger student/athletes: My advice for younger swimmers is to take time for yourself, your mental health is so important when it comes to practice, if you aren’t going to give 100% at practice every day, then it isn’t worth it.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would like to go to Hawaii with my family because I went the summer before my freshman year and it was so cool seeing the coral reefs and all of the fish.
Favorite food: My favorite food is sushi, especially at swim meets.
Favorite music: Before a race I listen to a lot of upbeat hype music, I like to connect to the speakers in the cars we’re driving in so everyone can get hyped up.
Favorite swim brand: My favorite swimsuit brand is Jolyn, their suits are really good quality, and they have fun patterns and colors. My favorite goggles are anything that is mirrored, but I mostly use Speedo.
BRADY NEWPORT
Favorite dive: My favorite dive is probably the front one-and-a-half pike or front double so far because they feel very satisfying to do.
First dive memory: I just started diving a few weeks ago at 17, and I really wanted and still want to progress faster than I know I am ready to, and trying dives that I’m not ready for.
Fondest JDHS memory: My fondest memory at JDHS was probably getting the opportunity to go to Safe Grad last spring with all my friends.
Advice to younger student/athletes: My advice for younger students is to NOT BE AFRAID AND TO ENCOURAGE YOURSELF TO TRY SOMETHING NEW. Even though I have only been diving for a few weeks, I wish all the time that I started as a freshman instead of a senior I truly believe that if I had done that, then I could have been a really great diver by now.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would like to travel with my family to either Hawaii again, Japan, or Northern Europe, mostly just because I really love those places.
Favorite movie: My favorite movie is an "Anime" called "A Silent Voice."
Favorite music: I don't have a specific song that motivates me in mind, and I do prefer silence while diving over music.
Favorite swim brand: I don't know any swimsuit brands.
BENJAMIN PALLENBERG
Favorite swim cap: My 2018 Ironman cap because it was the one year I was able to achieve it.
First swim memory: I first started swimming when I was 4 and my first memory was at pre comp with Ms. Patty.
Fondest JDHS memory: The Halloween party last year at Liam’s house.
Advice to younger student/athletes: Do not take off a year from swimming or you will never catch up again, and keep to those books they will help you more than you know.
Where is the ideal family vacation: A trip to Czechia with my parents because they have always wanted to.
Favorite food: I love pizza skins from Island Pub.
Favorite music: Fast-pacing music that gets me all hyped up.
Favorite swim brand: I have no clue, I do not care about brand.
SAMUEL PALLENBERG
Favorite swim cap: Last year’s cap because of the design.
First swim memory: I was in elementary school and I remember doing tests to see if I was fit enough as a kid to swim and I sucked at breaststroke pull.
Fondest JDHS memory: Mt Roberts hike earlier my senior year.
Advice to younger student/athletes: Do not eat a lot before practice, especially a lot of candy the night before.
Where is the ideal family vacation: Somewhere in Switzerland, I like the mountains and I would like to hike and camp there.
Favorite food: I like the Munchies chips, but they have not sold them in Juneau for some time.
Favorite music: Really fast music gets me going for a race.
Favorite swim brand: Those anti-fog goggles, I do not know too much about brands.
LENA ‘MADDOX’ RASMUSSEN
Favorite swim cap: My favorite caps are the ones that just say JDHS in red because I think they are clean.
First swim memory: I remember swimming with my family at open swims, when I was about 5.
Fondest JDHS memory: Laughing with my friends in APUSH.
Advice to younger student/athletes: Finding friends will always make swimming/school a thousand times more fun.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would like to travel to South Korea, my family loves to travel, and we haven’t been to Asia yet, the culture and scenery there is amazing.
Favorite book: My favorite books are the “Red Rising" series by Pierce Brown.
Favorite music: Rap music is always my go-to before a race, it gets me in a competitive and hyped up mentality.
Favorite swim brand: Jolyn swimsuits, and Speedo goggles.
AVERY SMITH
Favorite swim cap: My favorite cap is one I got from zones a few years ago.
First swim memory: The first time I remember swimming is being in pre-comp and I remember going into the cold pool for the first time.
Fondest JDHS memory: Winning state my freshman year is my best memory at JDHS.
Advice to younger student/athletes: Just keep showing up.
Where is the ideal family vacation: Somewhere sunny.
Favorite food: Pineapple pizza.
Favorite music: Sabrina Carpenter and I listen to it on my headphones.
Favorite swim brand: Jolyn for swimsuits!
RILEY SOBOLEFF
Favorite swim cap: My favorite cap is the state team cap I got in spring 2022 for an Anchorage State meet with GSC. It was the first meet that I felt super accomplished because of the work put in, work to get the times I received.
First swim memory: I remember swimming in first grade and being so excited to move from pre-comp to the coho team. I also remember how intimidated I was by the fifth graders, and how I never thought I could be as tall or as fast as them.
Fondest JDHS memory: My fondest memory while swimming with JDHS was Halloween in Petersburg in 2024 when the team went trick-or-treating before regions. Or freshman year at TM when we dressed up for “on Wednesday we wear pink” every week. My absolute fondest memory of high school swim has been having the best parking every morning at school because of our 6 a.m. practices
Advice to younger student/athletes: My advice for younger swimmers and students is that you will never regret putting in a little bit more effort or hard work in both school or activities. It doesn’t hurt to put a bit more effort, whether that be fighting through your procrastinations, or pushing yourself a little bit harder in practice.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I want to travel with my family to Palau or the Maldives because of the amazing scuba diving and oceanscapes.
Favorite movie: My favorite movie is "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" because “life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Favorite music: I love listening to Bad Bunny or Lady Gaga before a race.
Favorite swim brand: My favorite swim brand is TYR because it is the type of tech suit and goggles I currently use.
KAELYN SZEFLER
Favorite swim cap: My favorite swim cap is the one from this year. I love the design and I like the material because it stays on a lot easier and is just a nicer fit.
First swim memory: I began swimming when I was 4. I remember the water being really cold and coughing on a lot of water. I remember the kayaks too for safety day and that was my favorite part.
Fondest JDHS memory: One of my fondest moment at JDHS is during high school swim when we are traveling.
Advice to younger student/athletes: A piece of advice I would give to younger swimmers is to never give up and keep trying even if you have a bad race.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would love to travel to Italy with my family because I've always wanted to visit Italy after seeing it on TV and I could never imagine traveling to another Country without my family.
Favorite food: My favorite food is pierogis.
Favorite music: I have never really been able to listen to music before a race because I start thinking too much about my race. I usually walk around and talk with everyone.
Favorite swim brand: My favorite swim brand is Jolyn and my favorites brand for goggles is Arena.
ADELINE WILLIAMS
Favorite dive: Front one-and-a-half.
First dive memory: I started diving freshman year.
Fondest JDHS memory: Sophomore year state.
Advice to younger student/athletes: Shake off the mistakes and keep having fun.
Where is the ideal family vacation: I would love to go to Sweden and Norway.
Favorite movie: My movie is "New Moon"
Favorite music: Pop music for before a meet to bring the vibes up.
Favorite swim brand: Freestyle swimwear or Jolyn.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com
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