Loading...
ZONESLoading...
Maggie Luo
The balcony was trickling in with families who came to watch the US Zones Swim Meet. I adjusted my goggle straps and shuffled around nervously. I tried to shake off the heavy pulses in my chest, but it was hopeless. My gaze flew to my lap as I was fidgeting with my clammy hands. I worked so hard all season for this meet, and the pressure was overwhelming.
Consumed in my own thoughts, I didn't realize it was my heat until a whistle rang out. Startled I got up from my seat and made my way up to the front of the pool. The humid, musty air suddenly turned cold.
I glanced at the official, who was signaling for us to step up on the blocks. I steadied myself and adjusted my feet.
"Take your mark.."
The buzzer rang out. Instantly I sprang into the air, shoving my hands above my head. I dived into the frigid pool while all of the noise drowned out of my ears.
I kicked a few times and emerged from the water. After swimming the 100 fly so many times, my body instantly knew to use my dolphin kicks as a rhythm for my arms to follow. Before I knew it, I was already on my second lap, going into my third. I touched the wall with both hands while swerving my body around. At the corner of my eye, I saw the girl next to me a few feet ahead. I urged my legs to kick faster, and to my relief, I saw the gap between us closing in.
Abby, quicken your pace and keep it steady, I scolded myself.
I heaved my arms over the water, taking a few strokes. After my turn, I could feel my body growing weary. Ignoring it, I pushed myself to go even faster. At this rate, I was neck to neck with the other swimmers. Dots of white water were speckled on my goggles, clouding my vision.
Soon we were on the last lap; everyone was still close to one another, and a light sound of cheering echoed from above.
Abruptly, I felt my whole body jolt and go numb. My legs felt like dead weight, and my arms like led. Panicking, I desperately attempted to speed up, but instead I started to slow down.
You're so close, only half a lap! Urged a voice in my head.
I trained my eyes on the end of the pool, and powered through. I didn't care about taking a breath, or how tired I was. The only thing was to finish. I slammed my hands onto the pad, throwing my goggles off and looked at the scoreboard.
ABBY WILSON- 54.72seconds 1st place ~ NATIONAL RECOD
I gasped.
I clobbered out of the pool, and propped myself up on a chair. My lungs were drenched and scratchy but I didn't care. Looking up at the board, I read the words carefully to make sure my eyes weren't playing games on me. I smiled and looked at the balcony. Catching my dads eyes, I waved. And for the first time in 5 years, I saw a tear dribble down his cheek, as he waved back.
Consumed in my own thoughts, I didn't realize it was my heat until a whistle rang out. Startled I got up from my seat and made my way up to the front of the pool. The humid, musty air suddenly turned cold.
I glanced at the official, who was signaling for us to step up on the blocks. I steadied myself and adjusted my feet.
"Take your mark.."
The buzzer rang out. Instantly I sprang into the air, shoving my hands above my head. I dived into the frigid pool while all of the noise drowned out of my ears.
I kicked a few times and emerged from the water. After swimming the 100 fly so many times, my body instantly knew to use my dolphin kicks as a rhythm for my arms to follow. Before I knew it, I was already on my second lap, going into my third. I touched the wall with both hands while swerving my body around. At the corner of my eye, I saw the girl next to me a few feet ahead. I urged my legs to kick faster, and to my relief, I saw the gap between us closing in.
Abby, quicken your pace and keep it steady, I scolded myself.
I heaved my arms over the water, taking a few strokes. After my turn, I could feel my body growing weary. Ignoring it, I pushed myself to go even faster. At this rate, I was neck to neck with the other swimmers. Dots of white water were speckled on my goggles, clouding my vision.
Soon we were on the last lap; everyone was still close to one another, and a light sound of cheering echoed from above.
Abruptly, I felt my whole body jolt and go numb. My legs felt like dead weight, and my arms like led. Panicking, I desperately attempted to speed up, but instead I started to slow down.
You're so close, only half a lap! Urged a voice in my head.
I trained my eyes on the end of the pool, and powered through. I didn't care about taking a breath, or how tired I was. The only thing was to finish. I slammed my hands onto the pad, throwing my goggles off and looked at the scoreboard.
ABBY WILSON- 54.72seconds 1st place ~ NATIONAL RECOD
I gasped.
I clobbered out of the pool, and propped myself up on a chair. My lungs were drenched and scratchy but I didn't care. Looking up at the board, I read the words carefully to make sure my eyes weren't playing games on me. I smiled and looked at the balcony. Catching my dads eyes, I waved. And for the first time in 5 years, I saw a tear dribble down his cheek, as he waved back.