The Swim Meet

Coach Nelson blew his whistle to end the YMCA team’s swimming practice.

“OK, team. Everyone out of the pool. Check your name off the sheet if you’ve finished your extra practice for the week. Remember, it won’t just be speed that gives us a win. Strength and endurance will be the key to winning the meet at Clarksville.”

Jeff climbed out of the pool and watched his best friend and champion swimmer Mike put a check mark next to his name on the Dolphin swim team roster. He followed Mike to the list of names, paused a moment to look at all the other check marks, and then put a mark by his name, too.

“The Blue Whales will see who’s the best team this year,” team captain John Blake said.

“Yea, we’re in the best shape of any team," Jeff’s friend Mike said. Bet we’ve gone more distance in the pool than a real dolphin swims!”

Jeff nodded in agreement as he and Mike walked toward the locker room.

***

On the day of the meet against the Clarksville Blue Whales, the Dolphins team assembled to hear Coach Nelson’s final instructions.

“We’ve worked hard. We’re ready. Let’s put the Blue Whales out of competition this year. Now go get ‘em!”

The team clapped in agreement and quickly lined up behind the starting block for the medley relay. Jeff was to be the fourth swimmer for the Dolphins.

After the buzzer sounded for the relay, team captain John Blake backstroked to an early lead over his opponent. Mike Johnson followed with a perfect butterfly stroke and kept the lead. Tim Carlson’s breaststroke also outdistanced his opponent. When it was finally Jeff’s turn, the Dolphins had a narrow lead.

Jeff dove in and swam freestyle as hard as he could. As he did a flip turn at the end of the pool for the final return distance, he suddenly felt as though his arms were lead weights. As he paused in the water, his opponent took advantage of Jeff’s hesitation and quickly out swam him.

When Jeff reached the end of the race, the look on Coach Nelson’s face and the expressions of his teammates told the whole story: he had lost the race for them.

Jeff didn’t have the heart to look in the crowd for his parents. He knew he’d see the same looks of disappointment on their faces. His dad had even taken over Jeff’s paper route three days a week so he could get in more practice time. Had he not used it wisely?

He followed the team back to the locker room. No team members blamed him outwardly, but he could sense this feeling by their silence.

***

When Jeff went to the pool for extra practice before their next swim meet, Mike was already swimming laps to gain stamina. Jeff stood on the edge of the pool and watched Mike glide effortless through the water. He noticed how streamlined Mike kept his body and how strongly he kicked to stay horizontal. Jeff remembered their coach had cautioned them to get their stroke right first, then they could try to improve their distance. This would build their stamina.

Jeff dove in and matched Mike’s strokes for several laps, keeping his body streamlined, too. His arms did not feel like lead weights as they had during the competition. Suddenly, he realized he had been doing his practice all wrong! He always tried for distance and failed to pay attention to the style of his strokes. No wonder his extra practice had not built the stamina he needed for the swim meet!

***

During the next several weeks, Jeff worked twice as hard as anyone else. He kept to his diet, got plenty of rest, and practiced his strokes, keeping Mike’s swimming style in mind. Even Mike had trouble keeping up with his friend.

***

On the day of the meet, Jeff looked across the pool at the Shark’s team members and swallowed hard. No, he wouldn’t let anyone down this time. He was ready.

The teams were tied when it came Jeff’s turn to swim. He dove into the pool and swam with the best strokes he had ever done. And he wasn’t even tired when he kicked off the pool wall for the final lap.

There was a different look on Coach Nelson’ face as Jeff touched the pool wall well ahead of his Shark opponent.

After he climbed out of the pool, he turned to see his father’s beaming smile.

“Good race, Son. I knew the Dolphins could do it!”

Jeff nodded and knew he couldn’t ever take being in shape for granted again. Strength and endurance required practice. Practicing the drill strokes correctly was the key to being a good swimmer and a team member others could count on. He was one Dolphin who would be ready to out swim any Sharks, Whales, or other sea creatures in future meets!