Students' Stamp on GHS -- First Quarter
Students' Stamp on GHS
The Competitive Sea Dragons
by Victoria Blakeslee, '11
Sea Dragons co-Captain
by Victoria Blakeslee, '11
Sea Dragons co-Captain
Most people, including other athletes, don't give swimming (and diving) the credit it deserves. For example, many students at our school don't know anything about our school team, the Gloversville-Mayfield Lady Sea Dragons. Our team started less than ten years ago, and we've already made it towards the top. In fact, this year we have the best season on record. Last year, our team tied for second in our division, and missed third place at sectionals by two points. Our record for last season was 8-3 (.727 winning percentage) thanks to the leadership from our coaches, Mike Harrington (Fish) and Steve Pratt. Not many teams can do that.
Swimming is a team sport, but also recognizes individuals for their achievements. Last season, all but two records were broken -- that's 11 records in one year! This year we continue to break records and at our meet against Glens Falls, in which we clinched our second place spot in Section II, we broke six records!
If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me, "Swimming can't be that hard. All you do is swim back and forth all the time" I would be rich. Only a swimmer understands what it feels like. On average, a two and a half hour practice consists of at least 6,000 yards. That equals 240 lengths of the pool, all of those being timed. Swimmers don't get subs in the middle of a race, no water breaks, no "time-outs." Once we start, there's no stopping. Swimming is not the leisure activity most people think it is. Just like every other sport; it requires with dedication and hard work.
Not only is it our school that doesn't know/appreciate swimming, but the world. Thankfully Michael Phelps (the greatest athlete in history who just happens to be a swimmer) has popularized the sport. Ever since the summer of 2008, when he won those eight gold medals, the sport has exploded. I, along with millions of other swimmers thank him. Hopefully sometime in the near future swimming (and diving) can become one of the nation's most popular sports.
