After six long months of hard work, psychology junior Riley Mayes has created a swim club at Loyola.

Loyola has had a swim team in the past, but it was disbanded after Hurricane Katrina.

“I created the swim club to offer an opportunity for students to swim in a competitive environment,” Mayes said.

The swim club currently has between 20 and 25 active members ,biology junior Troy Thayer said. Thayer has been recruiting new members, dealing with the club’s social media and creating the bridge between members and the coach.

“We wanted to create a positive team environment, with a large amount of support, dedication and school spirit,” Thayer said.

Mass communication junior Katherine Collier is one of the lifeguards at the pool in the Loyola Sports Complex. Collier has seen the swim club practicing.

“It’s really cool to see them work so hard and come in early in the mornings to train for your first meet coming up,” Collier said.

The swim club is planning to attend an invitational meet at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. on Nov. 9 of this year. The club will be competing against five other universities at the invitational.

“While we are a club sport, we want to give potential and current college students the option to continue their swimming career,” Thayer said.

Mayes said he is is enthusiastic about welcoming any students likes swimming.

Raquel Derganz-Baker can be reached at [email protected]