- Backstroke has always been my most favorite stroke, while I enjoying swimming just the general freestyle.
What is your best stroke?
– My best stroke is also the backstroke.
What is it like when you are standing behind the block getting ready for your race?
– Standing behind the black creates a lot of anticipation. You go from being super excited to extremely nervous, to pumped to get in and go. It is the biggest rush besides being head on with someone your racing against.
What is it like when you win a race?
– Winning your first race in exhilarating. My first race I won I also made it to the section competition, I was in tears forever. But it was by far the best feeling in the world.
What is your favorite part about being on the swim team?
– The friends you gain not only from your own team, but the others. Your set apart from everyone else and can relate to everybody in some way. It’s like having a very oversized family. Also the feeling you get after jumping out of the pool after practice or a race. It’s the best work out you can get.
Why did you start swimming?
– I originally wanted to join volleyball because I am very Closter phobic, but it was my friends who convinced me to just try it out. When I did, I fell in love with it.
How long have you been swimming?
– I have been on a competition swim team for 6 years now.
How often do you practice?
– I practice Monday-Friday swimming and/or diving for three hours each day. I also work out at the gym doing dry land. Which includes running and lifting weights, etc.
What is the best meet you have ever made the qualifying time for? Meaning have you made nationals or Olympic trials or something like that?
– I have made it to state competitions for the 100 meter backstroke, 50 meter freestyle, 100 freestyle, 400 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, and diving.
What do you do to pump yourself up before a race?
– To get pumped up before a race my team mates and I do a ton of rants and cheers. One of our favorites goes “Give me an e, E! Give me an x, X! Give me an l, L! Give me an a, A! Give me an x, X! What’s that spell?! EXLAX! What’s that make you do?! GO GO GO!” Right before the race though, I like to jump in place, get my muscles warmed up, and do some stretches to get me loose, then I visualize the race.
Do you think its better to relax before a race or jump around and get your energy flowing? – Jumping around and getting my energy going is what gets me relaxed for a race. Everyone does it. It keeps your mind off of the race in a way.
What is your best dive?
– my best dive is a double back somersault with a full twist.
How high have you dived from?
– I have dived in just a general meter pool diving board, and also a platform dive. (the highest they go)
Did you win any competitions for diving?
– I did win several competitions in diving. Just this previous season I won all but one meet in diving. Which is very rewarding.
How often do you practice diving?
– I practice diving just as much as I practice swimming. Some days I need to practice diving more just to get something down, or learn a new dive. Whereas in swimming I just need to swimming a few lengths and be O.K.
What is the feeling right before you dive?
– Right before I dive, it is very nerve racking, because I have hit the board before on my legs several times, on the center of my back, and my head. And you also never know what is going to happen. Everyone is watching you, and only you. But there is also that sense of anticipation to show everyone what you got!
Have you ever gotten injured diving?
– I have never had to get stiches, or go to the doctor or hospital or anything. But I did have a scare hitting my back on the end of the diving board, my head and my legs several times. I got bumps, bruises, and scratches. Several times when I was trying to master a new dive or perfect one of my ‘not so good’ ones, I have slapped the water several times in a row, which has left some pretty nasty bruises. One time, I hit my back so my times, my whole back was black a blue for a week and half.
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