Chris Hwang
Prof Cryer
Comp2
September 3, 2018
Steven
The story starts from an early childhood. Having the luxury
of resources to enhance his swimming career. Young Steven’s mother was a
swimming coach. Not only a motherly figure but also a coach increased the
strength of his swimming capabilities. Though his mother was a coach, the real
reason why Steven got into the sport was his sister. Watching through the eyes
of a child, he was inspired by his sister who started swimming beforehand. As a
kid spent much of his time in the community of swimming. The start was with the
team LG pelicans. Through the team, his abilities were enhanced. Improving his
times quickly and placing in the top tiers when going to meets. The end results
were Steven standing on the podiums. Becoming a talented and one of the best
swimmers led to High School swimming.
There was a magnificent change. In judging how, the sport
determines the character of a person. Swimming builds up and disciplines those
who join the sport. There are different levels of the sport. Highschool being
one of them. “Highschool swimming turned boys into men”. (Steven) The quote was
embedded into his mind after the coach giving a speech. Then successfully
turning into a man from a boy, he quickly learned from the impactful
experience.
During school year swimming continues, wake up 5 am; drive
to school; 5:30am swim for an 1hr 15 min; then go to school got out at 2:20;
get into 2:30, and Swam for 2 hrs. Saturdays meets are for measuring the amount
of skilled improved. In High School, the mentality of having a strong mind was
needed. Many people quit because how tough the sport is. Not only physically
exhausting but a major amount of mental exhaustion. Steven has invested so much
time into the sport that it would become quite the shame to quit. Being a great
swimmer, making it to state and placing was a great confidence booster.
Transcending to an upper tier, even making it to junior nationals!
Stats of an upper tier swimmer: 50 fr 21.05 100 fr 46.9 100
fly 50.9 200 fr 1:44.8 200 Im 2:03. These ae all great accomplishments.
Accomplishments is better with a team. There was much bonding going on.
Spending time with his team mates not only in the pool but outside made
swimming a lifestyle.
There were always the meets to test your ability, team
dinners just to talk and practice at the pool was almost every day. On the
daily not only during the school year but summer conditioning was also a
necessity to stay a great swimmer. Because of spending so much time together,
this becomes a tight knit community. In this tight knit community, there are
some crazy adventures. Such as when Steven was held down onto a chair and given
an unwanted reverse mohawk. “It is what it is, but I didn’t like it” But
looking back at the story, it is something that can be told many times at
dinner parties. Some of his closest friends are made from swimming. The
supporters are his friends creating strong characteristics. The ability to push
through even when in pain. Hard work, team work, and every single little stride
is, worth the sacrifices, is the mentality built within the swimming community.
It is not an easy community to join. Determination and patience are key
factors. We don’t live in a perfect world; there was a downfall.
College swimming was the testament that he could not defeat.
The many factors that led for him to pursue a different path is melancholic.
The start of College began with a whole lot of training. The training seemed
repetitive and was a roadblock. There were not as many meets to have fun and
test abilities. The coach was not helpful and picked favorites. The foreigners
that joined the swim team were incredibly fast and discouraged Steven. Judging
by his options he determined it would be a better choice to leave and quit
swimming.
The story ends, but its revived like a phoenix from the
ashes of sadness. Steven used the pain from the college experience of swimming
and push past. Now bringing younger swimmers in and teaching the sport to
newcomers is his job. Using the experience and his many years of knowledge on
the sport, Steven has quite the resume for a swim coach. The things that he did
not like about the other coaches, is now changeable. Steven said, “To come from
swimmer to a coach is much more enjoyable than you think.” Teaching the youth, a way where it is not only
competitive but enjoyable. The new joy in helping new swimmers enhance his
skills is an happy ending.
Comments
Post a Comment