Hard work, determination, success

Although the swim team is one of the most decorated athletic teams at Reagan, their winning success doesn’t come without hard work and preparation.

Many students don’t realize the true hardships the swimmers have to face. Morning practices, afternoon workouts, and homework are all required in a 24-hour day. The athletes have to stay in shape for rigorous practices and always be prepared to work toward their next conference championship.

“Swimming is one of the hardest sports and we go through hard training, but at the same time we are building friendships that will last forever and having fun at the same time,” said freshman diver Reece Alexander.

The team dives in to practice at 6:30 a.m. in the morning at the Winston-Salem State swimming facility. Practice consists of timed relays and laps.

After school the swimmers trade their fins and gills for legs. They practice strength conditioning and stamina in the Reagan weight room and around the track.

The team is always striving for new objectives to win.

“The team’s goal is always to win the conference and then, depending on who makes it to regionals, we will determine new goals for the team,” said head swim coach Ryan Michel.

Both the dive and swim team work together to complete these goals to continue the winning streak Reagan holds.  The girls’ team has 12 consecutive conference titles and four regional titles. The boy’s team has six total conference titles and three regional titles.

“At the championship meets, diving is one of the events which counts toward the overall team score,” Michel said.

The team will compete in the conference meet on Friday, Jan. 19 at 5 p.m. located  at Winston-Salem State University’s swim facility.

Before conference meets and regionals, the swimmers gather for a pasta dinner.

“Having our dinner before conference is something the team has always done,” Alexander said. “Since we have won for so many years, I think that could be our superstition.”

For those who make it to regionals, it will be held on Feb. 3 in Greensboro.

Although the swim team is one of the most hardworking at Reagan, the week of a big meet practices seems to be a little easier.

“We have about a week of taper to rest before those big meets,” Alexander said.

As the swim team gets ready for the big meets, the swimmers can look back on the preparation that got them there.

“With swimming you just have to work hard and manage your time wisely,” said junior swimmer Will Beauchamp. “I have to balance swim and school, along with these big meets.”

Reagan is ready to welcome more trophies to our shelves, and Michel is prepared to continuing the winning streak no matter what it takes from his swimmers.

“Coach Michel is very encouraging and supportive,”Alexander said. “He can be intense, but he wants us to work our hardest and be the best team we can be.”

The swimmers are a hardworking team that pushes each other  to achieve their goals. They have created connections and bonds that help them depend on each other for their successful meets.

“As  a team, especially the girls, we are all very close and always there for each other.” Alexander said. “Everyone is very hardworking and we all come to practice ready to give our best effort. I love the swim team at Reagan and everyone on it.”