Well, where to begin: that fateful day my mom pushed me into the pool in first grade or the random event that caused me to be where I am today? Back in first grade I was not crazy about the pool, we lived on a lake and that was more than enough swimming for me. My mom, on the other hand, thought I needed better swimming skills to ensure I didn’t drown in the lake. So with me fighting every last step of the way to the pool, I was thrown into this crazy, fun, difficult, and demanding sport.
After my senior year in high school, I had decided that about ten years of year-round swimming was enough for me, and I was hanging up the towel. But after not swimming for about six months, I missed it, so when the season rolled around in October of my freshman year I was going to give it a go. As many of you know, that didn’t last long. After two weeks of practice I remembered why I was hanging up the towel, and ultimately decided I was done with swimming for good. Since I’m writing, this that obviously didn’t happen.
It was because of a fateful day in late September that put me on this team again, but this time for good. Abby Lough and I had not known each other prior to when we joined the team, but we had many mutual friends. It just happened that we both went to lunch with our friends that afternoon, wearing swimming shirts. So naturally we discussed our swimming past and decided we were going to talk to Coach about joining the team.
So thank you Abby (Blonde Abby, Ab-normal, Other Abby) for coming to lunch with Jacinta that day and wearing a swimming shirt. We have been two peas in a pod since we joined, you were an amazing lane partner, bed buddy, morning walking comrade, etc. Enjoy your kindergarteners next year, you will be fantastic.
Mark, what can I say, the pool is your domain, although your counting skills can be a little sketchy some days. Thanks for swimming next to me, and for all the water fights and splashing wars. I think we were finally able to welcome Anna to her new lane.
Kaitlyn, thanks for being a great co-captain along with all the others. You were a great teammate and will do great things with your career because of your determination that is seen both in and out of the pool.
Bob, oh Bob. There is never a dull moment around you. Thanks for always enlightening us on new laws and policies that have recently come into effect. Your hard work in the pool is inspiring, and I can’t wait to see what your future has in store for you.
Tina, the most recent addition to our team, our venting was a huge help in making it through Molecular. Without you, I may have actually stressed out, which as we all know doesn’t happen very often. You also blew me away in the pool. The fact that you haven’t swum for 3 years and are as talented as you are still amazes me.
Nikki Jane Farmer where can I even begin to thank you? I have never seen anyone quite like you. The way you are able to push yourself beyond your limit, the way you make every person on the team feel so welcome, and that sneeze, it’s quite unique to say the least? Your comeback to the team last year inspired me to be the best swimmer I could possibly be. Thanks for always pushing me at practice and for being a great friend. Remember, were holding that hat captive until you come back!
Kristin where would I be without you? You are the other pea to Abby and my pod. Thanks for always bringing snacks to meets with me. I think my chocolate animal crackers would be lonely without your goldfish. But most of all thanks for putting up with my craziness at home. You are an amazing roommate and strong person. You and that brilliant mind of yours will do great things in life, so keep pushing yourself.
Anna-banana I don’t think I can thank you enough for welcoming me to your room last year. Little did we both know such a great friendship would blossom from that one semester of living together. You are one of the sweetest people I have ever met, which might be because of the many pounds of berries that you eat ? You are one talented swimmer; just remember to push yourself to your limits, and you will accomplish great things.
Andrea we have so many memories together, from the drive from Denver to Dent to late nights studying for O. Chem. Your hard work in the pool pushes me to my breaking point, and helps me to be the best I can be. Thanks for your companionship through this journey we call college. Linda and I will make it to Israel sometime, I promise!
To our wonderful returning sophomores Anne and Ashling, I give you guys the task of keeping this team as close as they are now. Both of you have improved so much from last year and I know there is so much more in store for you. Keep up the great work in the pool, and I can’t wait to be amazed by how well you will taper down.
And PJ, Shea, Scott, Beth, Sarah, Jimmy, Zach, and Garen, our noble newbies. I don’t think Saint Mary’s swimming has ever seen such a wide array of students come together to try a new sport. You should all be proud of the hard work you have done; you are succeeding in a sport that many only dream of doing. So congrats on getting this far, and know you have made many life-long friends.
Finally, our brave divers, Sarah, Danielle, Alex, and Brian. Not only do you brave the dangerous twists off the board, but you also brave many practices with JJ. Your skills truly impress me. JJ, you really are a great coach. All of your divers are blessed to be training under you. Keep up the great work, and keep recruiting us new freshman!
Coach. You are one of a kind. Thank you first of all for letting me come back to the team my sophomore year. You’ve been very easy to talk to and incredibly supportive throughout the last three years. Somehow you always seem to know what’s going on in my life, and respond with exactly what I need, whether it be a joke or complete silence. Next, thank you for setting-up practices to push me as far as I can go. You are able to it mix up just enough to keep us entertained, from 10,000 yard doubles to sharks and minnows during the stop-watch game; I enjoy coming to practice, most days anyways ? Finally, thank you for opening up your office to us. Your office has become my home during the day. I enjoy that I can just come in and take a nap, work on homework, and talk about everyday life. You have raised a great team, and I know you will continue to have great success in the future.
And I can’t end this without thanking my family. Mom and Dad you have invested so much time in swimming. I think I can count on one hand how many meets you have missed in my career, which is impressive considering the hundreds of meets I have swam in, and I thank you for coming to each one. I can’t thank you enough for the continual support both in and out of the pool, and your constant encouragement that I can do whatever I put my mind to. Thank you for helping me develop into the strong and independent woman that I am today. I hope I have made you proud.
So as I swim in my final home meet, I have been honored to be called a Cardinal. Because of attending Saint Mary’s I have gained so many great experiences and friends that I know will last forever. This team has truly become my family.
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