Early Mornings Lead to Great Success for Swim
Junior Lana Kraiwan is swimming in her race.
Implemented this season, the Liberty swim program has brought a different style to the way they now practice. Instead of after school practices like most school sports teams do, Liberty’s swimmers wake up bright and early to practice before school even begins. Taking the bus over to the WARF (Warrenton Aquatic and Recreational Facility), the swimmers jump in the cold pool water and practice for an hour from 5:30 a.m.-6:30 a.m. Despite having to wake up before sunrise, most swimmers prefer to have practice before school rather than after.
“Morning practices are honestly pretty cool. It can be definitely difficult some days, especially being up late, however, it does have a cool feeling being up and exercising so early. It is super nice not having to worry about anything else after school,” said junior Nathaniel Wilson.
Junior Nathaniel Wilson is competing in his race.
“I’ll admit, I was hesitant about the morning practices at first, but it has actually turned out to be really great! I love working hard in the morning and then being able to relax for the rest of the day. It takes a lot of self discipline and dedication to be able to get up so early, so seeing everyone there everyday is special. We get a special bonus after practice on the bus ride back to school. Every morning after jumping out of the water, rushing to get ready for school, and hurrying out to the bus, we get a few minutes to sit, relax, and watch the sun rise,” said senior Erin Fredrick.
With the season more than half way through, these swimmers have been working hard. On January 18, Liberty was able to beat Manassas Park and tie with John Handley at their meet. In addition to this, many swimmers placed first: Jennifer Cannon (100 back), Will Frederick (50 free and 100 back), Sage Laine (100 fly), Meghan Tucker (50 free and 100 breast), and the girls 200 free and medley relay.
To continue to be able to have success in their meets, the swim team has been setting goals for the rest of the season. With the end coming near, these swimmers will work super hard to accomplish their set goals.
Junior Akasha Wilkemeyer is getting advice before her race.
“My personal goals for the rest of the season are to PR on my 100 back and 50 free. Also, I want to have the relay teams I’m on beat our best times,” said junior Lana Kraiwan.
“The goals I have set for the rest of the season are to break seven minutes in the 500 free and to possibly compete in regionals,” said sophomore Sage Laine.
Another factor that is key to success in the swim program is team bonding. Having to wake up at the crack of dawn together and ride long bus rides to meets on Saturdays, the swimmers should have strong chemistry with each other to achieve success.
“The team chemistry in our program is great! We have a lot of people who are first time swimmers but to see them dive into something new is really inspiring. It is not easy knowing you are not the fastest one in the water, so I have a lot of respect for the people who put themselves out there. Even though we know we aren’t the fastest team in the pool, we always encourage each other. You’ll never see a Liberty swimmer in the water without having their teammates cheering from the side of the pool,” said Frederick.
“I love the team chemistry that we have on the team. It is definitely the friendliest and most inviting environment in the school; we invite everyone to come and and swim with us,” said senior team captain Meghan Tucker.
Hi, my name is Keely Crane, I am in twelfth grade, I am a journalism VI, and I am the Editor-in-Chief! I have been involved in Patriot Press since my freshman...
hailey • Mar 13, 2020 at 8:32 am
Wow! These swimmers must be super committed to wake up this early to swim! Awesome article.
melanie ventura • Mar 2, 2020 at 1:24 pm
These swimmers did such an amazing good this season!! Great article.
Cristal • Feb 10, 2020 at 9:12 am
This would be something I would love to do but I’m to lazy and wouldn’t be able to wake up in the early morning.
Tara • Feb 7, 2020 at 12:56 pm
great article! there really hard working
blaire odom • Feb 6, 2020 at 12:37 pm
This is a cool article. Maybe because I like the swim team. The editor made it sound like she was in the swim team and made the quotes with it sound really good.
Lovely article
Jessica Wright • Feb 6, 2020 at 10:09 am
Shows how much discipline they have to be at the school before the sun rises. Great Job Keely!
shashaida • Feb 5, 2020 at 12:45 pm
I could not swim that early in the morning. I would need my sleep . That’s good for them that they get up so early to practice
Grace Derby • Feb 4, 2020 at 3:48 pm
I don’t know how they do it for me personally I can’t get my head of the pillow before 6. That’s why the liberty swim team is so amazing.
Aubrey Schwier • Feb 4, 2020 at 9:02 am
LOVE THIS!!!! love how they talked about their goals, and what they plan/ want to achieve
diana • Jan 30, 2020 at 12:54 pm
Wow! it’s crazy how they have to wake up so early in the day for practice and then go to school, so proud of these students!
Ms. Crocker • Jan 29, 2020 at 3:11 pm
This is a great article! And so true – these students are working hard early early in the day, having fun and making progress.
Stacy Laine • Jan 28, 2020 at 3:32 am
I love this article so much. It has been a pleasure to coach this group this season! The difference between day 1 and now is unbelievable. The kids have risen to the early morning challenge and I see them all smiling at school. I am so excited about LHS swimming!