Swimming with Purpose: Greenhills Girls Continue Their Rise

There’s no shortcut to becoming one of the state’s best swim and dive programs. Fortunately, the Greenhills varsity girls swim and dive team has found a formula for lasting success: doing everything the right way. From offseason training to in-season focus, the Gryphons are proving that steady, intentional work pays off.

This year’s team combines a deep roster with experience. A strong freshman class last season was followed by another this year, and every state qualifier from 2024 returned. With that continuity, the Gryphons have been able to plug in new athletes seamlessly while maintaining their competitive edge.

They’ve also tested themselves against top competition. Greenhills took second at an invitational featuring several Division I schools, despite being one of only two Division II programs in the field, and it’s turning in impressive results at other major meets, too.

Much of that success stems from the work the team has done outside the pool. Under head coach Ethan Drouillard, now in his second season leading the girls program, strength and conditioning have become a regular part of training. Last year was the first time the team lifted consistently, and the payoff is showing.

“We’re starting to see the benefits of that long-term approach,” Drouillard said. “They’re doing all the right things, not just to win the next meet, but to be ready for Catholic Leagues, for States, and for what’s ahead.”

The results speak for themselves. Swimmers who trained through the offseason have returned faster and more versatile, taking on new specialties and thriving in challenging events.

“The work ethic in practice has been awesome,” Drouillard said. “They’re just gamers, man. They rise to the occasion and show up when they need to.”

That focus has built a culture of accountability, support, and competitive fire. He points to the team’s performance at the Cranbrook meet as an example.

“We had an injured diver, our best backstroker was sick, and we said, ‘Alright, it’s going to take an almost perfect meet to win this one.’ And sure enough, every single kid showed up. We had kids setting personal records at a random meet in the middle of the year, which usually doesn’t happen.”

Those kinds of performances, he said, show what’s become a defining trait of this team: they rise to the occasion. The program’s approach has also made Greenhills a destination for young swimmers who once looked elsewhere for competitive high school programs. Drouillard said that shift reflects how far the program has come and how connected the athletes feel to it.

“That’s been incredible,” he said. “We’ve had kids who were planning to leave decide to stay because of the team. That kind of buy-in changes everything.”

In the pool, Greenhills has been emphasizing one detail above all others: finish stronger than the competition. Every practice includes work on closing out races.

“We’ve been really working on winning the last 25 of every race,” Drouillard said. “No matter the distance—whether it’s the 50 free, the 200 IM, or the 500—if it’s close, we want to be the ones getting to the wall first.”

Heading into the postseason, the Gryphons are ranked ninth in Division II and aiming for a strong showing at the Catholic League Championships taking place November 14 and 15, followed by State Finals. Drouillard anticipates several swimmers and relays qualifying for states and earning all-state honors.

But for all the impressive times and medals, what stands out most is the team’s collective effort. Many athletes, Drouillard said, have stepped into unfamiliar events or roles to help the team succeed.

“They’ve done what the team needs, even when it’s not their favorite event,” he said. “That’s what’s been so fun to watch.”