Latest LSJ girls athlete of week winner has been a key contributor in strong season for Panthers.
Sarah Weller proved her talent in the pool for the DeWitt swimming team in 2024 when she showed she was one of the best in Greater Lansing.
She was a double individual league champion and was part of some strong finishes for the Panthers at the Division 2 state finals on her way to being named the area's swimmer of the year.
Building off that success has been a goal for the latest LSJ girls high school athlete of the week winner. But it isn't the main focus for the Panther senior.
"I was kind of worried that I did so much last year that what could I do this year to top that," Weller said. "I don't feel like I have to top that. I'm really focusing on being a captain this year and having more fun and definitely not stressing too much about having to top that, but I still have goals set for myself and want to make it to states and still do really good. I definitely want to have more fun this year."
So far, Weller has been soaking things in and finding success in what she views likely as her last year of swimming. She's once again posted some of the top times in the area — Weller ranks second in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 500 freestyle — and has helped DeWitt find team success.
The Panthers entered Oct. 9 unbeaten in the CAAC Blue and won their own invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4. Weller won the 100 freestyle during while contributing to the title at their own invite.
One of the things DeWitt coach Gregg Brace has appreciated about his second-year captain is her abilities to perform well at a variety of events.
"The nice thing about Sarah is she'll swim anything and be in the hunt for first," Brace said. "We move her all around just so she doesn't get sick of her primary events. It's nice because she's so versatile and I can put her in anything. It's like where do I need another person who is going to go fast and win for us? We put her in pretty much any event."
Weller also enjoys being able to help her team in multiple ways outside of her best events — the 100 free and 50 free.
"I really enjoy it because I don't get bored of swimming the same two events," Weller said. "I really love to just race so when I'm put in anything I still get really excited and I want to beat my times. It's really fun to do all of the events."
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Sarah Weller using versatility to help DeWitt swimming to success
Category: General Sports
