Athletes of the Week: Olivia Reed and Stajz Saar

Seniors Olivia Reed and Stajz Saar, a truly dynamic duo, guide their team both in and out of the pool. As co-captains of the girls’ varsity swimming team, they dedicate a huge amount of time and passion towards training and practices, as well as keeping the team in sync.Reed knew that she wanted to swim since she was a little girl, and she has been a team leader since prep year. Reed always loved the energy of New England Girl’s Swimming (NEGS) and the tight bond that the team shared. Her true inspiration was her co-captains during her prep year, Catharine Shipps ’13 and Olivia Jackson ’13, because she admired their drive and leadership skills.“They were kind and supportive, and they worked very hard. They pushed us to be better, while also making every day fun. I wanted to be like them and exemplify their leadership qualities,” she said.

“What I admire most about Stajz is her wit and bold honesty.”

For Saar, when she first started swimming, she hated taking lessons and was actually afraid of the water. It was her mom who signed Saar up for a local swim team at the age of six, even when she could barely make it down the pool. Eventually, she ended up falling in love with the sport and has been swimming competitively ever since. She describes swimming as being “ever-present in her life.”This season, the co-captains have been successful in maintaining a strong sense of team unity. Reed and Saar try their best to emphasize the camaraderie aspect of Exeter swimming and how important it is that they all support each other, both at practice and at meets.Saar and Reed communicate with the team about their goals and make sure that everyone is enthusiastic about meets, and that they match the same enthusiasm during practices. They pay attention to everyone’s improvement, and if they can, they add tips and advice for the girls’ strokes.“Both Stajz and Liv motivate me, as well as the rest of the team, in and out of the pool. They are always smiling and encouraging us to work hard at practice, even when the sets get tough,” prep Liz Williams said.Reed and Saar know how important their roles are as co-captains, and they take their responsibility for the team’s morale very seriously. So, as teammates and as captains, they encourage the other girls to move on from poor swims and stay upbeat by getting up to cheer for their teammates during hard sets. They keep everyone focused and optimistic during practice so that the same attitude comes forward during meets.“My mentality is such a huge part of who I am as a swimmer. I’ve learned over the years that if I don’t stay focused and in a positive place, I won’t swim well. After a bad race or a bad practice, it’s so important to move past it and focus on the next one,” Saar said.Lower Maddie Shapiro has been on the team for two years and shares how big of an impact Saar and Reed have had on her experience on NEGS. “They definitely care about each and every one of us on the team, and they always want you to know that it’s not about whether you win or lose, but that you give it 100 percent,” Shapiro said.Reed and Saar both feel that this is a very special experience for them, especially because they have become co-captains with each other. Reed elaborated on her unique friendship with Saar and the meaning that it brought to their co-captainship.“Stajz and I have been on the team together since our prep year. Her commitment to the team is unparalleled, and she brings such joy to the pool everyday. She is not afraid to push herself and those around her for the collective good of the team,” she said. “It is so much fun to work with her to make the team great.”Not only are they leaders in the pool, Saar and Reed are also role models for the girls of McConnell Hall.Williams, who lives in McConnell, said, “I have had the pleasure of having Stajz and Liv in my dorm, and I’m so happy that they took me in as a little sister. I know I can always go to them for advice not only about swimming but about anything, from school to friends.”Their team manager and dormmate, senior Trishna Mohite, described how Reed and Saar manage to balance each other out and how their personalities make them great team captains. She explained Reed’s positive presence within the dorm. “Proctor team Liv takes on the role as the loving older sister so effortlessly. She is so conscious and caring about everyone around her. At the same time she possesses this fearless and intellectual sense of energy,” she said.Mohite also described her close relationship with Saar. “What I admire most about Stajz is her wit and bold honesty. She is humble about her accomplishments inside the classroom and out. What many people might not know is that she is an incredibly skilled bowler,” she said.Health instructor Michelle Soucy, who has been the advisor of Saar since her prep year and met Reed during her prep health class, also described how both of them are excellent role models and good dorm citizens.“Olivia is the greeter, always friendly and ready to give a warm hug. Stajz is smiley, fun and always up for a good conversation,” Soucy said. “They are both honest, well-rounded and exceptional students.”