This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the Liberty boys’ swim and dive team, and all of the memories and friends I gained from last year’s season. While most of the school either doesn’t know it exists, doesn’t care about it, or makes fun of it, swimming is one of my favorite sports during high school season. In the middle of the summer, when I’m stressed from school, or just having a bad day, memories from last year’s swim season are always something I can look back on and smile about, and then help add to my excitement for this year’s season and other seasons in the future.

I’m thankful for all of the little things that make the swim team culture so special. While a team might become closer during practices or games, meets or matches, it’s the extra “outside of practice” activities that are always so special to me and what I believe really helped us grow closer. Everything from on the spot “motivational” captain speeches on the bus to meets, getting donuts before school on early-morning practice days, or getting together for team game nights or spaghetti dinners are things that other people might not think twice about, but I really enjoy and appreciate.

I’m thankful for all of the people I was able to share those memories with. I’m thankful for all the chances I got to meet new people (and become closer with the ones I already knew); especially upperclassmen who I was lucky enough to then become friends with. I’m thankful for all of the memories I was able to share with the whole team before all of the seniors graduated; like how they helped sneak me on to the pool deck (when it was for swimmers only) at the State Championships, going to Red Robin one day after practice and sitting at one giant table, the seniors giving me “how to survive high school” advice or even playing Ultimate Frisbee with a disc way too small at Hazen on a freezing cold winter day in flip-flops and shorts.

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for all of the little things the swim team does that makes it so memorable, and for the friendships I was able to gain and strength.