Swimmers are moving quick; coming up from the water drenched in chlorine and determination. With SZ TISCA on Dec. 4, district coming up on Jan., 23, and State on Feb, 20 the team is looking beyond to state, hoping to advance.

“My biggest meet this year will be state. I went for the first time last year, and it was such a cool experience,” senior captain Tyler Petty said.  “All of the hype that surrounds the meet is almost overwhelming, and then getting to go swim in front of the UT swim center completely packed out is tons of fun. To make it to state you have to be the fastest swimmer in your region or one of the next fastest eight swimmers in the entire state. A total of 16 people get to swim in each event at the meet.”

Petty has been swimming since the second grade, and it has become a major part of his life. Petty said his opportunities to excel are based on how hard he works.

“Before I race, I always go to a place away from everyone else and listen to music,” Petty said. “I get mentally prepared for the race, and once I go up behind the blocks I stretch and pray. I pray before I get in the water and as soon as I get out. It helps to make sure that no matter if I do good or bad, I show good sportsmanship and remember that it’s all for God’s glory.”

No matter how individuals train, the goal is to advance post-district. The practices every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30-9 a.m., and Tuesday, Thursday from 7:15-9:00 a.m.

“As captain I made a couple of goals for our team at the beginning of the year. My first was for everyone to move on to region after district,” Petty said. “My second was that we would unite as a team to achieve both our team goals and our individual goals. Our slogan for this year is ‘Strength in Unity,’ and I feel like that sums up my goals for the team.”

Last year Petty was the district champion in the 100 backstroke, and he aims to do it again; as well as the 500 freestyle. Petty said he plans to beat his record with 54 -seconds  in the 100-backstroke and four minutes and 35 seconds in the 500 freestyle.

“As an individual, my goals are to be district champion in both the 500 freestyle and 100 backstroke and medal at region,” Petty said. “[I plan to] make it to state in both of my events and possibly even medal there.”

Swimmers must time their breathing and swim strokes so that they do not inhale water and drown. They also rely on the work and effort they put into practice so they can not only stay afloat, but move through water with great speed and coordination.

“It’s a hard sport. The most important thing is to not drown. Once you get past that, be ready to work harder than you ever have before,” Petty said. “The swim team is just like any other team. We have our ups and downs, but in the end we are all there for each other and would do anything for any of our teammates.”

With district on Jan 23 and 24, swimmers look beyond to the two regional champion meets on Nov 6 and 7.

“A great swimmer has to be fully dedicated to the sport,” Petty said. “They have to have the desire to go to the pool every day and train to the best of their ability.”