January 14th the meet begins, and two teams come together to compete. As they are warming up, parents and friends file in to soon be an exciting race. The swimmers with goggles and caps on, set up to dive off the block. Each swimmer is racing by themselves but for their team. Many may have personal goals to set and some are just excited to compete in the sport they love.
It’s just as exciting for the audience as it is for the swimmers because they get to see all each individual has been working on. Friends and families get a vivid picture of the dedication these athletes put into their sport. Swimming is different because, in other sports, you’re working on the court or field as a team, but in swimming you are on your own court. It can be more than just physical strength it takes but also mentally. Being strategic about how to go about a race can help.
Senior Gavin Stimac, boys swim captain, talks about how he puts himself into his bubble to block out any distractions. Strategizing to see how everything will lay out for a successful meet.
“I’m just a big competitor so I should visualize how I want my races to go. So a lot of it comes down to being in my headspace, headphones on, listening to music, just really focused on myself. Trying to eliminate distractions as much as I can,” Stimac shares.
He also explains the long-term goals he has for himself, as well as his team. This is very testament to his title as a captain, wanting to not only be a successful individual but as a whole.
“Our goal is definitely to beat the Bay boys, for sure. I think long term my goals are to win an event at the Cleveland Westward Conference Championship,” Stimac continues.
The Bay Rockets and Lakewood Rangers go up against each other for Girls and Boys swimming and diving. Both teams cheer on their teammates as they hit the water and go back and forth in each lane. The adrenaline filled the natatorium the whole night, never falling silent, due to the splashing of water every moment.
Senior Piper McElfresh, girls swim captain, shares her opinion on the role she has being captain. As well as how it doesn’t have to be too much pressure.
“You know being a captain, you have to be a good leader. The thing is you don’t have to be a strong or outright leader. You can think from the background and help organize the team, helping with any conflicts, making sure the teams are organized on time, and stuff like that,” McElfresh says.
As the athletes go one by one diving off the block as the sound goes off, parents, friends, and peers cheer them on. Coaches on the sideline, clipboards in one hand, stopwatches in the other.
Head Coach Patricia O’Donnell talks about her experience in the swimming world. She explains how fun it is to be with such a great group of kids, and the amazing memories they create every day.
“I started when I was 21, in two school districts and 13 years later I ended up at Lakewood. This was my dream job so this kind of fell in my lap,” O’Donnell shares.
O’Donnell also shares some of the struggles that there can be while coaching high schoolers.
“So I’ve been at this for over a decade. So I think there’s a difference between the high schoolers when I started and now. I think now the biggest challenge is how many things high schoolers juggle. Whether that be a class load or big music activities, it’s just like all jobs, it’s all normal things that high schoolers do,” O’Donnell finishes.
In the end, the Lakewood boys fell short 88-97 against the Rockets. However, the Lakewood girls were able to win against the Bay girls team 97-80. Both teams pushed to the maximum. Every athlete won for the extremities they go for, to show off the talent and passion they put into the sport of swimming.
