Swimming sits in pre-season currently and to become more disciplined and get ready for when they’re in-season, practice starts at 5:30 a.m. The team will have its first meet on Oct. 1.

“Swimming makes my everyday life difficult,” senior Chandler Garrett said. “Because I wake up very early for swimming and it makes me tired as the day goes on.” 

The swim team has two-hour practices and is in the weight room two times a week. The team also has hard training week in and week out for eight weeks straight.

“It’s a lot, you have to put in work in and out of practice, so you can stay in shape,” Garrett said.

After this summer, swimmers have to get back to school but also have to make sure they’re ready for pre-season training, and a long season of swimming. Some swimmers get ready by participating in swimming outside of school, but sophomore Calleigh Hooper has other ways of preparing for the season.

“I went on runs to keep my endurance up,” Hooper said. “It’s hard to get back into swimming after break, and I don’t usually do anything. I decided to try running.” 

Recovery is also a big part of training, and the swimmers must ensure it is key in a long season. Most swimmers try to eat healthy and hydrate well for recovery, but mindset is just as important.

“I try to do my best every practice, and I try to never give up no matter how tired I am,” Hooper said.

With the season on the way, swimmers have to focus on their mindset heading into meets as well.

“I try to visualize what I’m going to do,” Garrett said. “I go through the small things and do the things I know I can do right, while also having fun.”