LOVE AND DEDICATION IN THE WATEWR BY KELLY HUERTA, BONITA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL, CHULA VISA, CALIFORNIA.

“Swimmers take your mark, get set, and GO!” Swimming is the sport that gives me the biggest rush. Initially I began taking swimming classes when I was 9 because I dint know how to swim and my parents believed it was crucial for me to learn for safety reasons. So I initiated swimming classes and after I passed all the levels, I was invited to join the swim team. I was awe struck because I never thought I would one day be part of the team I looked over to everyday while I was being taught how to float in the 3ft deep section of the pool.

I was so excited that as soon as I was invited, the next day I showed up for my first swim team practice. I arrived impressively early with my swim suit, swim cap, goggles, and towel on. I was overwhelmed with anticipation and could hardly wait for the moment I jumped into to that last lane, even if it was that last beginner’s lane. So as it got closer to the time practice began I started getting nervous. I realized I had no idea what to expect. I had never even swam more that 25 yards without stopping at least once at a wall. What if I got stuck in the middle of the pool? What if I swallowed too much water? All these thought rushed into my head and the anticipation grew into dread and anxiety. However when the time came I told my self that I wanted this, I could do this, I wanted to do this, I was going to do this. And this is where my years of competitive swimming began.

As swimming began to be a large part of my life, I quickly realized that this was going to confront me with the most determination I had ever faced. However it wasn’t until my first competition that this actually set in. I saw all kinds of swimmers from all over San Diego swimming, competing, some winning, and others loosing but they were all happy. The first time I competed, I initiated with times to begin with in order to proceed to improving. Although I didn’t win anything in that first competition I gained something greater.

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I gained the determination I saw in other and applied it to my own training ethics. At practices I began working harder than ever. Struggling to make my intervals, gasping for air at every chance I had, hoping to improve my technique, and wishing to compete again.

So, the time came again for my second competition. I felt ready and excited. Little did I know that everyone else who I had previously competed with had been training just as hard as I was so when it came time for my first event, I quickly learned that these girls were not just swimming to swim, they were leaving ever last bit of energy out in the water. Therefore, I didn’t place in this event but when it came down to my next event I wasn’t going to settle for anything less than placing. It was now or never. I got ready, creped my toes over the edge of the pool, tightened my goggles, leaned over, and I effortlessly dove in and began sprinting. That day I left every bit of energy out on that pool and I even placed first in that event. I leaned that swimming was definitely what I wanted to be doing and that my dedication would shine through if I continued to put my all. My mind was set and nothing could stop me now. There was only one way to go and that was into the water.

Swimming has been one of my biggest influences in life. It is an individual sport in which you not only compete against other but most importantly against your own best times. It is crucial to be on top of your game, swimmers are always working harder to improve themselves. Swimming is a sport that teaches determination and dedication. If you ask any swimmer it’s not the long hard 2 hour practices that make swimming fun and exciting, it is the satisfaction you get after putting your all in a competition and decreasing your time buy even 2 seconds. In swimming, you are only as strong as your weakest opponent and you must never underestimate the underestimated.

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