By Tess Becket, 14-year-old writer and swimmer at NBAC
Stepping into February 2010, I was 8 years old, standing behind lane one of a dimly lit, five lane pool. This race, the 100-yard butterfly, was my final chance to qualify for the Maryland State Championships. For an 8-year-old swimmer, this would be a massive achievement. Breathing in the stench of chlorine, I heard the whistle and hopped on the blocks. I wore the biggest, craziest pink goggles and tightened them as I gazed at 14-year-olds in lanes beside me. Even though they were feet taller than me, I wasn’t intimidated. I knew I would swim well.
After the race (which was a fantastic one), I took off my goggles, and saw I was now the fastest 8-year-old in the country. I broke my team’s all-time record and qualified for the state championships by seconds. I smiled. My typically harsh coach, Tom, hugged me and said I had a remarkable race. He told me I could be a national age group record holder, possibly an Olympian. I smiled again. On my way to the locker room, I sang “Tim McGraw” by Taylor Swift. “I hope you think of that little black dress,” I hummed as I dried off my little black swimsuit.
Photo Courtesy: Tess Becket
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