Last year’s conference champions, the Plainfield Thundercats, get into the festive spirit with a holiday fundraiser to earn money for equipment. 

Holiday wreaths, holiday planters, and poinsettias are being sold for the fundraiser, which will go on from Dec. 8 to Dec. 17. Head coach of the swim team, Joshua Hardie, said the 25 swimmers and the parents all work to support the team during this time. 

“The fundraiser goes directly towards our equipment needs for the season: Swim Caps, Swimsuits, Drag Suits, and other costs for the season,” Hardie said. 

The Thundercats have won conference three years in a row. They have been swim conference champions for the past three years, and their season is starting up. The boys have begun practicing for the season, and the fundraiser is going well. 

“Our season is mostly during the Winter Holidays, so our fundraiser helps lend to families decorating their homes for the holidays,” Hardie said. 

The parents try to help out to the best of their ability. Jenna Mahlberg, mother of junior swimmer Noah Mahlberg, is very proud of the team and has watched them all become a family to each other. Mahlberg has supported the team fundraiser to the best of her ability.

 “I posted on the cougar booster page and the parent page. The other parents post on their booster page, too, to try to get in as much money as we can,” Mahlberg said. 

Noah Mahlberg is a junior swimmer on the team and has experienced two conference wins in the past two years. He is making sure to post about the fundraiser and share it with everyone. 

“My favorite part of the fundraiser is getting to raise money for our team so we can afford all the equipment as well as seeing the community come together to support the team,” Mahlberg said. 

The new swimmers are also coming together to support the team, saying they all want to grow together and support each other so their team can all have the money they need. Freshman swimmer Nathan Finley comments on the fundraiser. 

“My favorite part of the fundraiser is seeing everyone come together for the benefit of the team,” Finley said.

The team makes sure to keep contact and tabs with each other over the off-season. They have formed a family-like bond where they all support each other.