“[But her time off] made her even more excited to compete for Harvard this year,” Morawski said. “[She became] more of a leader on land and a very positive force for the team.”

But while all of these girls demand a certain amount of respect because of their Olympic accomplishments, the Harvard women’s swimming and diving team works and competes together as a team.

“We don’t hold people up and put them up on a pedestal,” Morawski said. “The team comes first.”

And the team atmosphere is exactly why some of these swimmers choose to come to atmosphere.

“I especially love my class and love hanging out with them,” Hart said. “I hope that I can be another friend to lean on when someone’s having an off day.”

After a disappointing second place finish in last year’s Ivy Championships, losing to Princeton by only 16 points, the Harvard women’s swimming and diving team is ready to take on the challenge of a new season.

Both the swimmers and Morawski have faith though that this will be their year to finally win Ivies. They don’t want the feeling of second place again.

“I know we can do it,” Morawski said. “We have a great group of women.”