It’s hard to compete when you are so nervous you could puke. That’s why you have to remember the words of a wise little fishy: “Just keep swimming.”

This statement is not just an inspiration, but a life motto for sophomore Mackenzie Crowl. A GRC cardinal and a Swimchester sailfish, Crowl is at the pool at least once
every day, before or after school, in order to make it to all 11 of her weekly practices. “You have to work hard to be good at swimming,” she said. “It takes a lot of dedication.”

While many would be overwhelmed by this practice schedule, Crowl thinks the practice is crucial to having success in this sport.

“You get used to being pushed past your limit in club and this helps me be a leader on my high school team,” Crowl said.

Crowl says being on a club team is what inspired her to swim for GRC.

“When I first started swimming all of my club teammates kept talking about how much fun it was to swim for their high school,” Crowl said. “I decided to find out if GRC had a team.”

Crowl has been a member of the GRC team for four years now and says she grows more fond of her team every day.

“You get to build friendships with your classmates and bond with them, especially at regionals,” she says.

Crowl says the strength of relationships is what pushes her to keep going.

“I get really nervous before a meet, so all of my teammates cheer for me,” she said. “Having my friends support me is the best part about a meet.”

This unbreakable bond between the swim family, Crowl says, is one reason the team is growing.

“Everyone is bringing all their friends to swim and they end up joining the team,” she said.

With 25 members, this is the largest GRC team Crowl has ever been a part of.

The team has competed in two meets so far. They have brought back first and second place titles and hope to “polish off some finishing touches” before their regional competition in February.

While GRC swimmers prepare to focus on perfecting strokes and winning meets, Crowl says the team will also continue to “have fun in order to get the full experience.”