- 2020 Highlights
Personal Statement
1/1/2021 - Update: 2020 was rough, but I made it through in the end, and I still had a good High School Swim season. I went to the South State championship, where I won the 100 breaststroke, and after that I went to the state competition. Although I didn't win at state, I still did really well, and I definitely feel improved from last year. The coach of my swim team even gave me the Coach's Award, which is given for showing the most dedication to the team and leadership, which made me feel like I'm moving in the right direction, in terms of where I want to be when I do get to college. I am also in the middle of the short course swim season for my club team, which has gone well so far. In fact, I recently dropped 12 seconds off of my 100 Butterfly time, which is a huge improvement, both in general and for me personally. I hope I can continue to improve in the new year, both in and out of the pool, and that I can continue to surprise myself.
5/20/2020 - Update: I received my certificates for varsity letters in both swimming and sailing at the end of this school year. I intend to stay with swimming throughout high school, so I will be ready when it comes time to go to college. I am well on my way to becoming a valuable member of your program!
4/29/2020 - Update: It has been hard trying to cope with the sudden change in routine that the Corona Virus Pandemic has caused for me. However, I am determined to stay on track to be ready for college, and, more pressingly, for when I can swim again. I don't have a pool, but I have been engaging in daily stretching, dry land exercises, and aerobic activity such as going on either a run or a ride on the exercise bike daily. I've even been doing virtual exercises with my coach, so I can stay in shape and be ready to get back to swimming. I haven't let my grades slip either. I have been doing the best that I possibly can to maintain good grades, even though there is a distinct lack of a real schedule during this pandemic. It is hard to keep going in a time like this, but I am determined to never stop working on getting better, even if I'm not in the pool. I have grown to love swimming in the short time that I've competed, and I will bring just as much, if not more passion to your team as I do to my swimming now, in good times or bad times.
2/16/2020- Update: I met my goal of qualifying for SC State! I feel like I'm getting better every day! I am a little bit nervous, but I'm ready to take this state competition head-on! My next goal is to make upcoming LC State, in at least 3 or 4 different events. If I can do well at SC and LC state, I will be set up for a great season with my High School Team next school year. I hope that I can make it into a program that will keep pushing me, both academically and athletically, to be the very best version of myself that I can possibly be.
I didn't start out with the idea of being a competitive swimmer. I learned to swim because, in order to go to summer camp with my scout troop, I had to pass a swim test. At first, I couldn’t go anywhere that I couldn’t touch the bottom, out of fear that I would sink. That was a little over a year ago. Now, I’m winning many of my events at the high school level and I have a goal of going to SC State with my club team this season. It’s been a steep learning curve because I started kind of late compared to my teammates, but my early failings made me want to work even harder to be competitive at meets, and to not let my team down.
Swimming has changed me for the better. It has made me appreciate the value of teamwork, taught me how to be a good sportsman, and I have even been able to make some friends along the way. It helped me to try harder in everything that I do. I want to go to a program that will challenge me both academically and athletically. I believe that I have the work ethic to accomplish any event you throw at me, whether it is a 50 or a 500, and I know I have what it takes to be part of your team!
