By Grace Hoffmann, Swimming World College Intern
Today, November 18, marks the last day for the Early Signing Period for college athletics. With the quick stroke of a pen, athletes all over the country signed their name and gave their word to the college team of their choice. All those months of recruiting and phone calls with coaches during dinner have finally paid off…..well almost. Although you’ve formally decided what school you are attending next year and what team you will be representing, you’re not there yet.
You’ve signed your letter intent to swim in college, now what?
1. Keep going to practice.
Yes, you signed with a college. Yes, that does mean a college coach thinks you’re fast enough to go there. However, that does not mean you should stop training! Cruising through your senior year season does not prepare you well for college in the upcoming months. Practice is just as important now as it was the week before you signed your letter of intent.
As a signed senior, your current coach will remain to have high expectations of you. You should be an example he can use to show the younger kids how hard work pays off. Skipping practice or not trying hard while there can cause your teammates to think that they can do the same and still be successful, a perception that is entirely false. Also, your coach next year will expect you to be training hard and performing at your best. Don’t skip out on practice because you’re already committed to a college. Train harder because you’ve committed to a college and a team that will undoubtedly have high expectations of you.
2. Have goals and strive to reach them.
Photo Courtesy: Donna Nelson
The goal of most high school swimmers who want to swim in college, is to swim in college. So, what happens when you put pen to paper and seal the deal? You feel like you’ve almost accomplished your goal; all you need is August to come around and you’ll officially be a collegiate athlete. Don’t let swimming in college be your only goal for this season. Make other goals! Set a time you want to hit, or a place at the State meet that you want to get.
3. Stay focused.
Don’t be distracted by all the “last home meet,” “last school dance,” “last club team Christmas Eve practice.” Focus on your training and your goals. Also remember to be living in the present and not just focusing on next year and what college will be like. Yes, you may want to start trying to find out which future teammate you will be rooming with or where you will be living, but those things aren’t that important right now. Focus on finishing school on a great note and graduating with stellar grades. Focus on training hard and achieving your goals.
4. Finish out the season.
Photo Courtesy: Doug Keller
The feeling of wanting to be “done” and ending the season before the last taper meet is very consuming. Especially if your last taper meet is around spring break and you know you already have a spot on a college team next year. You owe it to yourself, your coach, and your teammates to finish the season. Make it a memorable last meet and have fun. Cherish your team and swim lights out. Make your last short course meet on the team one you’ll never forget.
5. Stay humble.
Remember who’s helped you get to where you are. Be thankful. Show apperception for your parents and coaches. Without your mom or dad driving you to practice at 5 a.m., you wouldn’t be as successful as you are. Use what you have learned from swimming and the recruiting process to help others. Don’t ever take for granted the opportunities you have been given.
Brittany Archer
Beth Zilch. Did you see this????
No! Ha ha thanks for letting me know!