Credit to Eashaan Patel

Swimming is a sport that is looked over by some at times, but to many’s surprise, it is very easy to learn and not scary if you take to it safely and properly. It also takes an abundance of hard work and strength, just like any other sport. 

The FHN girl’s swim season is almost here, and the ones wanting to join their school’s swim team as it’s offered prepare themselves for the season and all that’s to come.

Freshman Victoria Avila started swimming for a team in fifth grade when she was ten years old. She is on the Sharks swim team and every event for their team takes place at the Recplex in St. Peters Missouri, similar to FHN’s swim events. She plans to take up swimming for her school in the winter time just around November when the girl’s season starts.

“I’ve known how to swim for as long as I can remember,” Avila said. “Swim lessons were always a joy to me as a little kid. I had planned on swimming for FHN my first year of high school but since I’m in two advanced math classes, and there’s lots of work piling up there and I can’t miss more than three practices, or I’ll get kicked off the team so I will just come back faster and more improved for sophomore year.”

Some of the freshmen girls who have been on a swim team prepare for meets, tryouts and the season coming up by doing a list of things to prepare their bodies and keep themselves settled.

“I usually don’t eat an hour before I swim and I don’t drink a lot before, but obviously we need to drink a little water just not too much, especially after working your body hard and soon you’ll have to get right back to swimming,” Grace Scott said. “I usually do a few warm-up laps, dives and stretches just to get my blood flowing. During the off-season I run, cross country in the fall and track in the spring.”

Swimming can improve mood, and it’s reported people enjoy water-based exercise more than exercising on land. It’s a sport that takes a good mental state of mind and physique. Research shows sports and many activities can help our mental state but it’s easy for people to get into their heads about the mistakes they had made. It takes lots of practice to improve on the different skills that play into it, becoming faster, stronger, and ready.

“I feel like swimming has helped my arm muscles a lot and mentally as long as you don’t give up no matter how tired you are you know you did good and at least you tried,” Scott said. “Remember that even Michael Phelps started as a beginner no one starts swimming knowing exactly what they’re doing.”

Any athlete has shown that if you wanna get better at something, don’t give up on what you’ve strived for. Some of the girls readying themselves for this swim season show that pride by practicing outside of school and keeping themselves healthy and fit. Joining local swim teams, and even just keeping up with a simple fitness routine and practice.

“To train, I have practices every day except for Sunday for two hours. Additionally, I do dry land workouts or exercise on land to further strengthen my body,” Avila said.

Most people get into a certain sport or club because they become inspired to do so by somebody they’ve known, following in a family member’s footsteps or friend’s, the girls planning to join FHN’s swim team have mentioned a certain someone who gave them the inspiration to start swimming and get better at it every day. 

“I started swimming because I love the sport and because it’s very competitive. 

I have stuck with swimming because it makes me happy. My brother started doing it competitively so I followed his lead and fell in love with the sport,” Avila said. 

Girls’ swim is a sport offered here at Francis Howell North high school, the girls take a great deal of practice and knowledge to start off the season right and prepare for all to come up. There is no limit to the number of girl’s on the team, but even with no cuts it’s good to try your best, and show why you started swimming anyway, since actions are greater than words. 

“Swimming is hard no matter what but as long as you remember to breathe and not push yourself over the edge anyone can do it,” Scott said. “The most important thing is to have fun. Talk to your coaches and bond with your team,” Avila said.