Not all West Delaware athletes wear orange and black. Freshman Jacob Wenger wears green and gold to compete on the Hempstead High School swim team.

“I didn’t choose Hempstead because it was a co-op with the school district. I wanted to swim with Hempstead because I knew more people who went there,” Wenger said.

The team practices at Hempstead Monday through Saturday for two and a half hours in the evening and competes on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

“I have had a very positive experience with the team so far,” Wenger said. He appreciates the no sitting policy, which requires team members to stand and cheer for their teammates.

“The coaches have also had a major role in making it a positive experience,” Wenger said.

Wenger has been swimming for over eight years now and has a lot of dedication to the sport.

“The reason I have such a passion for the sport is because it is a fun sport that just about anyone can do and the sport also tests your perseverance and ability to be dedicated,” Wenger said.

Wenger plans to continue swimming with the Mustangs through the rest of his high school career. “I think that other people with an interest should try going out for it because it is a fun sport, and there is a very strong brotherhood that all of the swimmers have,” Wenger said.

Wenger competes in the freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke events. So far this season he has completed the 200 freestyle in 2:10, the 200 individual medley in 2:32, the 500 freestyle in 5:51, and the 100 backstroke in 1:09.