EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth and final article in a series by Noblesville Swim Club seniors Brianna McBride and Rachel Tat about the club’s annual Senior Trip.
Rachel: One last day. One last article. One last time.
Brianna: Today we are sad to say is our last day away from home. The week went by so fast but it was so unforgettable.
The last day meant the last day of competition at the Richard Quick Invitational; our swims were phenomenal and we truly went out with a bang.
On Saturday the events were 50 meter backstroke, 200 meter butterfly, 50 meter freestyle, 200 meter individual medley, and 400 meter free. I made it in the top 48 in the 50 backstroke so I got to go to finals and swim in again in the evening. Today the events were 50 meter breaststroke, 200 meter backstroke, 100 meter freestyle, 200 meter breaststroke, 100 meter butterfly, and then the mile.
Tonight I made it back in both the 50 and 200 breaststroke and honestly I couldn’t have been able to do so well without the support coming from the team. We truly embraced the three words we focused on throughout the week: Integrity, grit, and character.
And as the back of one of our shirts says, “A competitor with true character has the grit to attack any challenge and the integrity to improve when no one is watching.” I feel like our team has worked harder than ever. I feel like the team has taken the words character, grit and integrity to new levels. I feel like our team grew to a family immensely over this trip and improved as athletes and people.
This trip was truly a success. And as seniors, the ending is oh so bittersweet. Today especially has been emotional for me as I touched the wall for my final race of the weekend, hearing my team cheer for me, and as I walked out of the natatorium, hearing other teams and coaches complimenting us on the enthusiasm we constructed. I thought, “I am truly a part of something special.”
We all routinely feel a part of something extraordinary on this trip especially as a senior. Leading our swim team through this trip has been such a blast. We have loved every single part of guiding freshmen, making new friends and taking ownership of our peers and actions, more than ever before.
Each one of us will take away something from this trip that will stick with us forever. I am confident that this team will move on to do amazing things together and I’m so excited for what is to come. For us seniors, it’s like the beginning of the end. We are going to soak in every moment of this coming year just like we have done this week. Please wish us the best of luck as we step into the future.
So, thank you for reading our articles. It means a lot that we can communicate our hard work and love for swimming to our community and share how much this trip means to us. Once again thank you for reading!