My High School Past Seasons.

I've decided to share with you guys, my past seasons and the obstacles I've faced and how I overcame them.

So I have been swimming on the R-H high school swim team for 4 years now. I started in 7th grade; I had been swimming since I was 4 so it was nothing new to me. As a "baby" (a group of 7th and 8th grade swimmers), I wasn't really important to the swim team at first. My first meet was one I'd remember forever. It was an away meet and I was swimming the "B"(the 2nd relay) 200 Medley Relay, the 200 IM, and the 100 breast. I was extremely nervous and I wasn't sure how things were going to work. The medley relay came first and when I dove in and swam the 50 breast, it was the most amazing feeling ever. Everyone was cheering my name and I had a big rush of adrenaline. After the medley relay came the 200 IM, since this was an individual race, I was one my own. That event was all a blur, but I got a best time by a lot and I was very proud! I had a while till my 100 breast and I was getting even more nervous by the minute. It then was my turn. Me and 2 of my team mates walked up to the blocks and stood behind our lanes. When the announcer said my name, the crowd went crazy. I got on the block and waited for the buzzer. As soon as it beeped, I exploded off the block. The first pull out felt like the longest pull out of my life, then I came up and left everything behind. I remember seeing the people I kept passing in my side vision and I couldn't be happier. As soon as I touched the wall, the looked up at the clock and saw that I got a best time by about 5 seconds! I was the happiest girl alive and at that exact moment, I fell in love with swimming.

My 7th and 8th grade seasons were great. I went to sectionals and dropped a lot of time and I was really enjoying it. Then 9th grade came and then I hit my plateau. In case people don't know what a swimming plateau is, it's when you do great and then sometime in your life, you stop going fast and you stay at a specific time and no matter how hard you try, you can't get faster. I was extremely frustrated with myself and just wanted to give up. I kept getting 1:18's in my 100 br, and my best time was a 1:15. I would work harder than anyone on my team but I still wouldn't go any faster, it was maddening! Finally it got time for sectionals and I started feeling really confident that I was finally going to break my curse of 1:18's. In prelims I went a 1:12.27, and I was so shocked! I couldn't believe that I was able to do that!

This was my race when I went a 1:12.27. This is when I was 13. I am the one with the black suit that goes down to my knees. You can hear my family cheering for me. I'm in lane 3 and I got 3rd.

10th grade wasn't a really good season, in Sectionals i didn't get a best time, I stayed around a 1:12 but I wasn't terribly upset cause a 1:12 wasn't that bad, but I really wanted to make states the next year.

11th grade, which is this year, I was feeling really confident that I would be able to make states. I worked harder than I have ever worked and we got a new assistant coach and he is one of the best coaches I've ever had, he pushed me further than anyone has ever done, he actually made me cry during one practice because I couldn't go any faster and I needed rest but he wouldn't let me stop. I hated him, but I knew he would make it all worth while....and he did.

It was time for Sectionals and I was so pumped! I bought a new suit and was ready to swim fast! In the medley relay I went a :30 in my 50 br. As soon as my dad saw that, he knew I would be in the 1:10 range, and the State qualifying time was a 1:10.37. I was pumped when I saw my 50 br time and I was feeling really confident. It came time for MY event, the 100 br. I was in the zone, and I was completely focused. It was time for my heat; I dove in and there was no stopping me. I touched the wall and saw the clock...1:09.86! My whole body went numb and I threw my arms up and jumped out of the water. My whole team was behind my lane and as soon as I climbed out, everyone hugged me and screamed. I couldn't believe I got a state cut, and not only, I smashed it and got under a 1:10! I was on top of the world! After Sectionals, my family took me out to dinner and we celebrated. I couldn't wait till States.

I not only made it to states in the 100 br, I also made it in the 200 medley relay. States was an amazing experience. I swam okay, went a 1:10 but that's not bad for what swimmers are expected to do after Sectionals. I was proud of myself for making it this far. I am very close to the Speedo Sectional cut that is being held in Maryland this year so I plan on going to that. I can't wait to see how I do this year!

I didn't post this to brag about myself or anything like that. I posted this to share my story and show how far you can go if you put your mind to it. Here is a piece of advice: Swimming is 90% mental and 10% physical. If your mind doesn't want it, you wont get to it. You can't be negative, you HAVE to think positive. I stayed positive through my obstacles and I came out on top.

I'd love to hear your stories and comments!