Swimmers Unite
When I was eight years old, swimming for Gamecock Aquatics, I qualified for a southeast championship. I was, however,
the only "kid" on my team who qualified. The next youngest person was 15 years old. I was sort of used to this because I
always practiced with the older kids, but this particular situation turned out to be very, very awkward. So, during practice
one evening, our coach pulled the qualifiers out of the pool for a bit of what he called "intimidation to the nation" activity.
Lame! Ha Ha! Anyway, he took us all to a dark room away from the pool where he had a giant TV set up and huge speakers. He
shut the door, and everyone got quiet. Next thing I know, the room explodes in hardcore metal, the bass is shaking the room
and Marilyn Manson is parading around the monitor...Completely! Naked! Ok, I was eight! And this was supposed to get me
pumped for the meet??? All the other kids in the room were way into it, jumping up and down, screaming along, trying to mosh.
Yeah, it was absolutley hilarious, but just a tintsy wintsy bit awkward for a little girl. Nevertheless, it was an
experience I never forgot, and I totally used it during the meet and medaled in all of my events, even taking gold in two.
Merci Beaucoup Marilyn!!
The proudest moment of my swimming career thus far actually came much later, during my first year swimming in college. It was really my first time competing after my injury. I tried not to over do it during practices and felt like such a burn out. Our first meet was in Florida, and I was really nervous. I swam two events, 100 fly, and 100 back. Back was first, and it felt absolutely incredible to back in the pool competing. I won my heat, and was so proud that I was even able to finish. During my warm-down though, I re-injuried myself. Not enough to stop me from swimming, but enough to set me back. Long story short, I was able to swim the final for the backstroke, and placed top three in the event. It was my first medal back from all the time off, and it is my most valuable award.