Arrowhead Girls Swim and Dive Team

The Arrowhead Girls Swim and Dive Team is no stranger to the podium. With 12 state championships, numerous runner-up and top-three finishes, and a 5th-place national ranking in 2022, their reputation for excellence in the pool is unmatched. Yet what truly sets these young women apart is that their biggest victories are not measured in seconds, but in service.

Since 2008, when coach Ruth Ann Ahnen helped weave community service into the team’s DNA, the swimmers have embraced a three-part mission: impact the community, support a charity of choice, and create a legacy. While most high school teams focus solely on training and competition, Arrowhead stands among the rare few that have made service a defining part of their culture.

This season, the team of 30 swimmers shattered records, filling 10 SUV’s with food and personal care items for the Hartland Food Pantry, making them its single largest donor. They sat outside grocery stores for hours after grueling swim practices, canvassed neighborhoods, and even ran lemonade stands. Mary, who oversees the pantry, shared, “We’ve come to rely on them. Their generosity helps us carry families all the way through Thanksgiving.”

The girls also turned their energy toward Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, raising over $26,300, which is enough to grant five wishes and making them the top team contributor at the Make-A-Wish Walk. Meeting Luca, a few seasons ago, a wish child whose dream to swim with dolphins in Hawaii came true, brought their fundraising efforts to life in the most meaningful way. Especially when Luca passed away last year, it was comforting to know that the team had a part of making his wish come true.

And through their annual brat fries, the swimmers raise funds for the Stacey Mayer Scholarship, awarded to a deserving Arrowhead senior, ensuring their impact continues for generations. It is the teams legacy project.

All of this is even more remarkable given the uncertainty they’ve faced with an aging pool and the looming question of where the team might train in the future. Instead of letting that cloud dampen their spirit, the girls have leaned into resilience, showing grit not only in competition but also in their service.

This year, they also drew inspiration from a special guest: Rachelle Mason , the world-record plank holder, who reminded them what it means to push past limits—physically, mentally, and as a team.

For the seniors, who drive each campaign, the experiences are about more than service. They’re about leadership, teamwork, and leaving a legacy. “Every year, it grows bigger. Every year, their impact is wider,” said Ahnen. “Not many high school teams in the country do this. These girls are leaving a legacy of generosity and strength, and that’s something far greater than winning races.”

With a tradition of dominance in the pool and unmatched service beyond it, the Arrowhead Girls Swim and Dive Team continues to prove that true champions aren’t just made in the water. They’re made in the way they touch lives in their community and beyond.

“My hope is that other teams will invest more in community service as a team and add a character building arm to their programs. The pay-offs are enormous and go far beyond a trophy or championship,” says Ahnen. “I am continually astounded every season with what the team accomplishes.”