JESSICA OLIN SWIMS FAST FOR WEDDINGTON WILDCATS

STUDENT WRITER

By Joey Skavronek, 7th Grade, Weddington Middle School

One of the toughest sports around is competitive swimming. The competitive swimmer must train in the earliest  hours of the morning or latest hours of the evening. When the rest of us are relaxing, sleeping and snoring away, the competitive swimmer is preparing to slice through the cold water. In order for the competitive swimmer to be a top performer, athletes must swim continuously, lap after lap, to prepare as a champion swimmer.

 A lot of swimmers quit the sport when the demands of competition show no mercy. That’s what we call separating the men from the boys…oops, I guess I shouldn’t have said that especially since Weddington Middle School 7th grader Jessica Olin is one of those top performers.  Backstroke, freestyle, butterfly, and breast stroke, whatever it takes, Jessica makes no compromises in getting the job done.

 Balancing her studies with “A’s”, and “B’s”, Jessica is a fast swimmer in all four major strokes.

 “I swim the 100 I.M. and 50 in Back-stroke, Breast-stroke, Freestyle, and Butterfly. But my best stroke would have to be free-style. My best time for the 50 free is 29.2 ,  the 100 is 1:07.”

Jessica also swims the grueling 500 meter freestyle in 6:58.

Jessica knows being mentally tough is a necessity for excellence in her sport. When the going gets tough…Jessica has a few strategies that have effectively overcome the tiring practice routines, and strenuous distances.

“I think of a great song, with a fast beat. This places me into a zone.”

Swimming competitively for a MAC Silver Division Team, she plans to compete in Atlanta in the Dynamo Swim Meet.

Clemson is her dream school, and Jessica’s goal is to earn a full scholarship to Clemson. Jessica’s competitive drive and positive attitude sets her apart as a tough competitive swimmer.

Clemson…watch out…Jessica is on her way!