Senior Column — Lydia Underwood

After hundreds of East swim practices, my first one still sticks out to me. I was burnt out and coming off a horrible club season, but there was still an ounce of excitement in me for high school swim. I was already nervous, so when coach Rob winked at me before explaining our first set I knew one thing — he was going to make me swim butterfly.

I was terrified and the last thing I wanted to do was embarrass myself — this was the big leagues and there was no room for error. All I could think in my teeny-tiny freshman mind was shit as the storm of self-doubt raged in my head as I held down what was almost vomit. 

But right as I was about to push off the wall to begin swimming, something changed. My soon-to-be teammate Kathleen Deedy looked back to me, smiled and said “We got this.”

That was the first time I knew this team would have my back. 

From the many times I threw up after my races freshman year to the time I threw up in my hands five minutes before the 100 yard fly at state my sophomore year because I was so nervous (yes, that actually happened), you guys have supported me through it all.  

I’ve learned to never give up on myself — because you never gave up on me. When I collapsed on the deck in tears after a bad race, you guys came up and hugged me, telling me it was okay. When you’ve faced vomit-inducing and lung-scorching workouts together, it’s impossible not to care for each other. 

I’ve never seen an entire swim team get behind a lane to cheer like we do at a meet. I’ve never seen another team do a set of 36 x 50’s off the block like we do — sorry in advance to any underclassmen who have to do that set again, I’m praying for you. 

But all of that is why I’m still swimming today.   

I spent every club practice this year thinking about high school season. But our final season was ripped away from us. And although I haven’t fully processed that I don’t get my final season with you, I’m trying to reflect on the memories — the packed cars during hostage games and songs we sang on the bus rides to meets. 

I’m proud and honored to be a part of this team. I’m forever thankful for the friendships I’ve made and lessons I’ve learned. To any underclassmen who are considering joining the swim team, do it — don’t let the fear of working hard hold you back, you’ll regret it if you do.