Swimming is sport that takes more than just knowing how to float on your back. Swimming is a sport that takes hard work and determination that requires you to push yourself to limits you never thought possible. Senior Amelia Chavez and junior Jacqueline Jania have shed some light into the sport, most people don’t know much about.

Chavez, who has been swimming for 2 years, originally joined the swimming team for a PE credit for graduation, but wound up finding a passion for the sport. Jania, who has been swimming for 11 years started swimming when she was about 6. Her parents wanted her to try everything. She was signed up for soccer, ballet, gymnastics, and swimming. The rest is history.

Jania’s goal when she first started swimming was to make it to the top 10 at divisionals, and she did. “I did it and at the time it was the best thing in the world.” Now that Jania is 16, and not 6, her goals have shifted more to finding a college to swim at.

Chavez’s goal when she first started swimming was to become better at swimming and not quit at it. “I thought that if I was able to at least keep up with the other experienced swimmers, even though I may not be able to keep up with them all of the time. I definitely achieved my goal in becoming a better swimmer and expanded my love for the sport all at the same time.”

Their practices and meets aren’t like most sports we have here. The swim team doesn’t have a place to practice here at Noll, so they have to practice elsewhere. Chavez and Jania both agree that it isn’t the easiest thing, but they are willing to sacrifice it for something they love. “I’m in a lot of other things, and I’m always doing something, but swimming will never not be in my top 5 priorities. Getting to practices and place to place isn’t always easy, but when you’re determined to find a way in the worst situation,” said Jania

Though Amelia does not plan to swim on a team for college, she will take advantage of the pool if they have one and keep swimming as a hobby. She would much rather focus mainly on her studies in college though. Jacqueline on the other hand, does plan on swimming in college. “It’s my whole life! The initial plan is to swim for Manchester University but it’s not a set in stone decision. Even if I don’t swim in college I think I’d help coach an age group team. Why not continue doing something love in any way you can?”

Swimming isn’t just doing a simple stroke you learned when you were old enough to take swimming classes, swimming is an intense sport that requires you to do so much, and you cannot ever give up.