I’ve realized these past four years of swimming for McNeil high school that swimming in itself isn’t just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. Whether it’s finishing my homework during school so that I don’t have to stay up late, eating healthy foods so that I’m at my full potential for the upcoming swim meet or skipping every party that my friends delve into, every decision I make revolves around reaching my full potential as an athlete. I have dedicated so much of my life towards swimming; yet swimming has given so much back to me.
Swimming has helped me overcome countless struggles in my life, including my parent’s divorce, our house being foreclosed on and the seemingly endless stress of school and life as a high school athlete. Most people don’t understand the magic swimming holds in being able to distract a person from all of their problems to the extent that all they can think about is achieving the constant goal to become faster and greater in the sport. Upon arriving at practice and starting each day’s warm-up, all of my troubles are forgotten in minutes as my mind focuses only on the rhythm of my stroke and keeping my arms moving through the liquid lead most call water. Swimming puts me in a trance to survive every set and better myself tremendously every time I enter the pool.
There is no other sport, club or person in this world that compels me to be the best person I can, and simultaneously gives me a feeling of exponential importance. Now that it’s almost over, all I can do is hold onto the life-lessons I’ve learned from it and thank anyone and everyone who’s ever given me the opportunity to be a member of such a privileged and rewarding sport such as swimming.
Marissa Byrd
Veteran Swimmer
Mighty Maverick
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