Learning to Compete

"When she wins, I am disappointed that I did not win, but I am happy for her success. I know that I will work harder the next day in practice so that the next time I will win."

From the age of seven, my passion has been competitive swimming. I have always loved the water, and there is nothing that can compare with the thrill of racing and knowing that all of my hard work just paid off. As a young swimmer, breaststroke was my favorite stroke, and I was good at it.

Nearly every year, I was an individual qualifier at the state age group meet. Swimming for a small club team, reaching the state meet was one of our primary goals each season. Swimming is primarily an individual sport, but relays are one opportunity to work as a team. To qualify a relay for state, someone must qualify individually in the age group.