- 2019 Highlights
Personal Statement
It was Sectionals and time to step up on the block. They didn’t use all the lanes, but I was in the lane nearest to the wall. Although I don’t like being near the wall I remembered a Mark Spitz quote, “If you have a lane, you have a chance.” I felt that my start was good and as I was coming back I told myself that I had to push the finish just like I did in practice every single day. I came from behind and won the event. I was shocked when I looked at the board. So was my coach. My family started jumping up and down in the stands. It felt amazing. I beat the High School 50 free record with a 23.79. Next was the 100 fly, my favorite event, so I didn’t want to lose. My start felt good and I was able to pull ahead because I did a lot more dolphin kicks. I finished and saw everyone around me finish. I looked up at the board and couldn’t believe it. I did it. I beat the Stevenson High School 100 fly record with a 55.55. My last event was a relay. I was the anchor. We won and tied the High School record for the 200 free relay already set a few years back.
I was finally able to go to the stands and say hi to my family. My cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandmas were there. Even my dad who works nonstop came to watch me swim. It was a big deal. He works so hard every week even on the weekend. I admire his work ethic and I would like to believe that I got that characteristic from him. Since my dad is always working my mom plans several trips each year so we can spend some time together. They make sure that wherever we go there is a pool for me to swim in and my mom is my coach at that point. I also realized how much not only my dad, but my mom, sacrificed for me and my swimming. Waking up really early and driving me to practice. Just being there for me when I needed her most. My mom is at every meet and I really appreciate that. Both of my parents sacrificed so much. A few years ago we moved so that my brother and I could attend Stevenson High School. But we didn’t move just to get a better education, we moved for my swimming. Stevenson not only had a great High School swim team, but they had a great club named Patriot Aquatic Club or PAC for short. This gave me an opportunity to swim under incredible coaches.
Throughout the years I have had a variety of coaches and teams. Some focused on sprints, some focused on distance, and others on my technique. Each of these experiences have contributed to my endurance, speed, and confidence. During this time of Corona virus and our inability to get in the pool, I fondly remember our Friday routine - It’s a bunch of sprints with a little cool down in between, not much rest. We are only able to get through it because we have each other. We exchange encouraging words with whatever oxygen we have left in our lungs and get ready for our next sprints. It is brutal, but it paid off. I can’t wait to do it again!
Swimming has made me stronger physically and mentally. When I swim I feel like nothing can hold me back. I feel so reassured which helps my state of mind and well being. I could not imagine a life without swimming. My name is Claudia Rzeznik and I have the drive that will take me far in life as a swimmer, an Olympian, a med student, and beyond.
