We Are America

Joining Competitive Swimming

By Julie

Greendale Middle School, Greendale, Wisconsin

I remember the day that I first heard about a competitive team I could join. I was in third grade and we were at recess and I remember Bailey told me that her team was having a ‘Bring your friend to swim day’. She invited me. Her team's name was NBSC (New Berlin Swim Club). It was at Eisenhower High School. I went and we just played some games and went off of the diving board. We did a little bit of actual swimming and I went home and told my mom that I wanted to join her team. She told me that we would have to talk about it with my dad. When my dad got home we sat down in the living room and I asked both of them if I could join Bailey’s team. They both said I could and I joined her team the next season, which was winter season.

I remember I ended up missing my first meet because I broke my wrist but I went to the next meet. I only did 25s but I remember I had so much fun that I knew that I wanted to continue swimming. I was really excited to be able to move up to the older groups once I turned 9. I finished my first season and I was so excited to be able to do longer races and more difficult sets next season.

After a little less than a year on NBSC I switched to SWAT (Southwest Aquatic team). I was really disappointed because I had really good friends on NBSC team and I knew the coaches. But before the next season, I went to a practice to see what group I would be placed in. I ended up getting places in age group silver which was one of the groups in the middle. I have now moved up to seniors (13+) and I am in the middle group for that right now.

Joining competitive swimming has changed me in many different ways. I have become more athletic and fit physically. But mentally I have become more confident and I have learned about being a leader and being positive about my sport. I still love swimming to this day and I think I have a long way to go with my swimming career.