Swimming Captain Research Paper

For the past 10 years, competitive swimming exposed me to a variety of new people. My adult role models along with my closest friends all connect to my swimming career in some way. I was honored to be named a captain of my high school swim team, a recognition only few receive on our 50-member team. Being a captain not only meant leading pre-swim exercises and receiving an award at the end of the year, it meant having people look up to me and being accountable for my actions. When a swimmer raced poorly or needed some encouragement, that swimmer turned to me. Having a constant smile on my face or saying “we can do it” became an everyday occurrence. Parents frequently approached me to say how much I impacted their child’s life or how they came home saying my pre-meet pep talk encouraged them through their tough races. While completing a team

building exercise where each person said the most positive person on the team, many teammates said my name. Younger team members wanted to swim the events I did, wear the goggles I had, or swim in my lane everyday because of the constant enthusiasm I radiated. My goal for the team, state champions, did not happen; however, we took home the 5A South Carolina State Runner Up title with pride. In addition, we won our region meet for the 8th year in a row.

Once high school swimming ended, I began swimming for my club team, the Rock Hill Rays. As one of the few seniors on this team I again take a leadership role. Freshman, sophomores with a few juniors and seniors comprise the Senior Group. Over the years, teammates often quit the team in their sophomore or junior year as the swim schedule becomes more demanding and they realize swimming will not be a part of their college career.

Every day I swim in a lane with teammates two or three years younger than me and have to set a good example for them to follow. Saying encouraging words or leading the lane for hard sets are tasks I perform in order to help my teammates survive challenging practices. I also transport my younger teammates who are all unable to drive to and from swim practice. In this role, the safety of all those in my vehicle is my responsibility, and I understand the obligations that accompanies this role.

My sophomore year of high school, I first held a leadership position in my school’s business club.

Over the past three years I dedicated a large amount of time to this club, and now hold the office of President. Being president of a club of over 120 members requires a lot of skill and organization to plan meetings, contact guest speakers, and communicate with the members. Talking to people that are a part of the business world is a huge part of my responsibility, as well as taking part in several community service opportunities. Every year, the Fort Mill Business Leaders host a Christmas Angel Tree Project. We select families in our community and provide them with much needed food, clothes, and toys for their children over the holiday season. Impacting families in our community in such a positive way not only brings them joy, but it brings our club members together as well. Getting more people involved in this club topped my priories in my role as President. I made and hung posters, posted on social media, and led our weekly meetings. This club allowed me to make strong connections with people currently in the business

world.

Inspiring people is my goal as a leader in my school and for my swim team. I will never forget the moment that my friend made the national swim team and told me that without my encouragement she would not be joining me on the trip. I enjoy being someone that people can rely on, and I like bringing smiles to peoples faces and helping them in tough situations. I grew up around amazing people who pushed me to be the best that I could. A friend who is now a sophomore in college pushed the underclassman to train harder and faster at practices. She was a light in my life and motivated me to become just as fast as her in the events we both swam. My sophomore year of high school she and I both made the 200 freestyle relay A team to represent our school at South Carolina State Swim Meet. She and the other two girls on my relay constantly supported me, the youngest and most nervous member of the relay. They motivated me in an out of the pool to become a better and faster swimmer. Without those three girls, I would honestly not have developed into the same swimmer I am today. That year our relay team won the state champions, and I still cannot thank those girls enough for all they did for me. Just as the three girls before me shaped the person I developed into, I want to motivate, influence and encourage those who look up to me. I could not have asked for better role models and leaders in my life and I hope to inspire my swim team not only to swim their best, but also to become supporting, motivating people so they can positively affect the lives of those they encounter.