Dec. 15, 2008

Well, finals have concluded and so has the first semester. It's hard to believe how fast time has passed and the accomplishments that have been reached. It feels like just yesterday I was moving into my dorm room and meeting the team for the first time on the newly christened pool deck of the Allen Jones Aquatic Center. It's crazy how far the team has come and the milestones we have yet to reach.

Swimming at the University of Tennessee as a Lady Vol sprinter is an experience and a change from what I was used to as a high school swimmer. There is a different atmosphere being a part of a college swimming team. The emotion, the unity and the devotion is intense, electrifying and hard. The amount of time devoted to the practices and the amount of focus that is demanded by the sport is definitely a few steps up from high school swimming. As a team, I have realized, we rely on each other to get through each day. With each day that passes, there is always something to be learned, discovered or improved upon.

Practices are entertaining and unique because no two practices are alike. There is no way to predict what might happen on the pool deck or what someone might say to lighten the mood. Sure we have our off days, but there is always a teammate there to pick that person up and help them out of their slump. In addition to the pick-up, that teammate tries to find something positive about the practice to encourage each other to keep moving forward towards the daily goal.

Overall, it's been a great start and I can't wait to see what the end of the season has in store for us as a team. I am proud of my choice and I am proud to be a LADY VOL!