It is very strange to think that four years ago I was a senior in high school trying to figure out where I wanted to attend college and whether I wanted to swim or not. When I made the decision of Saint Mary’s, I had planned on not swimming, something some now good friends would change.
Going back to the beginning of my swimming career, the biggest thanks I owe is to my parents. From the time my dad’s high school team taught me how to swim when I was 5, through middle school, high school, and now college, they have been my number one supporters. They have been to every meet possible, sat through countless all day meets, and cheered the entire time. Although I am not always the best at showing it, I have appreciated every bit of your support and would not be where I am today without it.
When I got to Saint Mary’s, I was roped into playing water polo and had a blast with the team. Throughout the season, Tom Walsh, Nikki Farmer, and Linda Tierney convinced me to just give the swim team a try. And I ended up loving it. In my first season, I realized how much of a tight knit group this team is and made an amazing group of friends. Swimming in a lane and being mentored by Tom, listening to “Animal” late at night with Jim, counting yards for Jen, Courtney and Angela, setting records with Neal and Tim, all made my first year very memorable.
As with any team, people graduate and a new team develops. In the next three years, the team changed but the group became closer. Living with Jim and Jon provided many interesting and fun times I will never forget. Watching both of you improve as swimmers, hiking up the bluff during a snow storm, megabed, just to name a few memories I will never forget. And Jim, don’t even… you never did the dishes. I always look forward to you two coming back and visiting. Swimming with Linda and Nikki for three years not only pushed me, but was a great time. Linda and Nikki were the first people on the team to really take me in and I really appreciated it. I didn’t think I would end up doing a lot of fishing with Linda, having her take my notes for ichthyology, and spending two summers having an amazing time in the SMU pool. Nikki, you have become my sister and I have had so many good times and will never forget them. The rest of the team has been amazing over the years, Sivan, I have really enjoyed getting to know you and swimming with you. I would have not gotten through O Chem without you. Anna, thanks for playing cards and taking my advice on school, I have taught you my ways and I hope you have taken notes. I know I can always talk to you and you can always provide me with entertainment, like your very graceful falling… I could write a page, but I’ll save it. Abby K, Abby L, and Kaitlyn, although we’ve only enjoyed three years together, they’ve been good and it’s amazing that were graduating already. Robbie, you and I are the only two from our freshman year to make it all four years, and it’s been fun, and I know you’re going to do great things in life. It’s been awesome to see the freshman come in and improve. Shea and Scott have become true swimmers after their breakout seasons in water polo. It’s been a pleasure sharing a lane with PJ and talking music with Jimmy Lynch. I hope all the freshman can have an amazing four years like I did and stick with it. And finally Coach, I would like to thank you for all you have done in the past four years, not only as a coach, but a friend. I knew I could always come into your office for advice or just to talk, whether it was swimming, school, or a new fishing spot. Thanks for everything.
The last four years have gone by so quickly, but I will never forget the training trips, the MIAC’s, hikes to the rock, out team dinners and get togethers. I am so glad that I chose to give swimming a try, and have come away with many great friends and memories. I would finally like to thank everyone involved make the last four years possible and wish everyone on the team good luck in the future. I hope to see everyone a year from now!
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