When I was in sixth grade, Mr. Killian started a swim team at West Hills. All my friends were trying out for it, and I wasn’t involved in any sports, so I joined the team. The first year was really fun because I got to hang out with my friends. However, the practices were very strenuous, and we were always exhausted at the end. I had taken swimming lessons, but never swam on a team before, so I had a lot of fun. My friends, though, said it was boring.

The next year, all of my friends had dropped out. They were involved in other activities, so this wasn’t a problem for them. I needed exercise, so I was involved in the team the following year. At least there were still girls my age on the team. I liked swimming last year, so I stayed on the team, even though I wouldn’t get to see my friends. Swimming by myself was still fun.

This year, the beginning of eighth grade, I asked the remaining girls if they would be swimming this year, and they all said no. This made me want to quit, as I am uncomfortable when I’m the only one my age. Swim team made me really tired, and even though it’s my favorite sport, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be on the team anymore, because I would be the only junior high girl. My parents said that I couldn’t just sit around and be inactive, so I had to do something. I decided to swim on the team for my third year, and I became friends with the girls in sixth grade.

The last meet I swam in this year was the Division Championships. I swam in the three events I signed up for, then began getting ready to go home. Mr. Killian said we had to let him know we were leaving just in case, so I went over to talk to him. All of my events were early in the meet, so I was one of the first people finished. When I said I was leaving, he said something like, “Oh, Elisabeth, I signed you up for 50 yd backstroke without asking you first. Happy early birthday!” At least that’s what it sounded like at the time. Backstroke is not my best event, so I wasn’t thrilled about it, even though 50 yds isn’t very far. Mr. Killian saw that I was tired, and said I didn’t have to swim in another event if I didn’t want to. I thought about it for a minute, and decided that I really didn’t have anything to lose, so I stayed. In backstroke, you have to be able to figure out where the wall of the pool is, so you won’t bang into the wall. When I reached the second row of flags, I forgot to count my strokes, so of course I hit my head on the wall. This slowed me down considerably. When the race was over, the timer said that I had beaten my best time by five seconds, even after hitting my head on the wall! I was really glad that I had chosen to swim in the race instead of going home early.

Recently I went to the swim team awards ceremony. Mr. Killian told the team and parents that I improved a lot in the three years I participated in swimming, and that he appreciated me not quitting, even though all my friends dropped out. He mentioned my improved time in backstroke, even though I didn’t have to do it. I learned that I should keep doing what I love, even if it makes me feel slightly uncomfortable.