Valencia Zhang ’25, Captain of Girls Swimming, is a dynamic leader who strives to mentor the team with her endless energy and enthusiasm. Since the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams have evolved into one large merged group, Zhang aims to cultivate an inclusive community among the team.
Introduced to swimming in her youth by her two older sisters, Zhang began her journey with the sport when she was seven years old. The enjoyment her sisters found in swimming ultimately compelled Zhang to pursue swimming for herself.
“I started swimming when I was around seven, and it was mainly because both of my older sisters swam, and they seemed to have a really fun time. So, I asked my mom if I could also enroll in lessons, and then from there, I learned mainly just how to do the strokes, and then I started actually joining a club team when I was ten. That’s when I also started competitively swimming. I like the people I do it with. It’s so nice to be able to get to know everyone. We basically become a little mini family,” said Zhang.
Alexis Lee ’28 commented on Zhang’s positive attitude in and out of the pool, specifically highlighting how she enlivens the team with her smile.
“Valencia always makes sure to include everyone in our conversation and that makes me feel really happy. Whenever I see her, she always waves. So, even if she’s not happy, she seems happy, and that’s what makes her such a great leader. Even in the pool, she’s always very happy. She always tells us how much more we have to do, and she’s always like, ‘Oh, you got this, keep going!’ Outside the pool, whenever I see her, she’s excited. She has that same amount of energy [and] that makes me happy,” said Lee.
During the season, Zhang has continued many traditions including psyches, where the athletes will dress up before their games. Furthermore, Zhang praised the motivating atmosphere that the team upholds.
“It’s mainly our team spirit. We just had our first home meet of the season on [January 11]. I remember for every single race that I swam, I saw people across the lane cheering for me at the end of the pool, and I was cheering for everyone as well. I just appreciate that because I think it makes tough races just a little bit easier and a little more accomplishable. We do team psyches, people go all in. On Friday, we had a ‘soccer mom and barbecue dad’ psyche. Some people brought tongs for barbecue dad, and people were really getting into soccer mom. So, it was really fun,” said Zhang.
This year, Girls Swimming shifted its leadership structure, going from three co-captains to one captain. Hannah Song ’27 acknowledged how Zhang has stepped into this role successfully despite the adjustment.
“Valencia tries her best to get to know all of the members of the swim team, like Varsity and Junior Varsity, and it’s just the community she tries to make and help grow. It’s something that’s really important for us to grow as a team,” said Song.
Zhang is an accommodating Captain, working to help everyone in even the smallest ways. Lee commended this aspect of Zhang, specifically noting her helpfulness towards younger and less experienced teammates during both races and practices.
“No matter what, she always cheers [us] on. She’s just overall an open person. Even if people had a question and they needed help with something, she would definitely help them. Actually, at the meet, there was this one teammate who wasn’t sure if they wanted to dive off the blocks or off the side. Valencia just said, ‘You can start in the pool, it’s fine.’ Her presence makes the whole situation a lot more comfortable,” said Lee.
Song also commented on Zhang’s optimism and nurturing character during meets, such as supporting the divers, who compete separately from the swim team.
“During meets, she shows leadership by gathering the team together to have pep talks, to do team cheers, [and] to cheer for diving, because it’s another portion. She also helps us so we bond together as a team,” said Song.
Although this season will be the last season of Zhang’s high-school swim career, Zhang plans on swimming on college club teams to continue pursuing her passion.
“I do not plan on swimming collegiately or competitively in my future, but I do think in college I’ll try out for club swimming and just continue spending time in the pool because I do really enjoy it,” said Zhang.
Editor’s Note: Valencia Zhang is the Chief Financial Officer for The Phillipian.
