Fall Sport Interview Girl’s Swim:
I spoke to freshman Aleksandra Stanek and interviewed her about her experience as a freshman on the girl’s swim team here at Lincoln-way East and her answers were very insightful on the experience of a swimmer in our school.
Q: What’s something your team does that makes practices or meets feel more fun or meaningful?
Aleks: One thing my team does that makes meets feel more fun and meaningful is the no phone policy. It makes us all connected and bond as a team since we aren’t distracted by technology and are present in the moment. This also allows us to cheer on our teammates while they swim.
Q: Can you share a moment when your team really came together—whether during a meet, a tough practice, or outside the pool?
Aleks: A time the team really came together this season was during yesterday’s practice. This week is supposed to be abnormally hard since it’s the week before taper for sectionals. So, as you can guess yesterday’s practice was grueling. We did about 8,000+ yards. And at the end we had to do some relay exchange sprints off the blocks and we were fried. But one teammate said “let’s grit through this” as a joke but then as everyone swam their last couple of 50s, we shouted grit and helped them through the pain, and they went fast times. All in all, we came together during that challenging practice.
Q: Who on the team inspires you, and why?
Aleks: Someone on the team that inspires me is Sophia Gonzalez. I have known her since my early club swim days on NAC and she’s always kind, caring, and persistent. She works hard at practices and never cuts corners to achieve her goals. I strive to become the academic and swim weapon she is.
Q: What’s one tradition your team has that you hope never goes away?
Aleks: One tradition our team has that I hope never goes away is our pasta parties. It’s a great way for the team to bond and carb load before big meets.
Q: If someone new joined the team tomorrow, what would you want them to know about your team’s values or personality?
Aleks: If someone new joined the team tomorrow, one thing they would need to know about our team’s work ethic and personality is that we don’t ever slack off. In order to successfully make it through the long fall season (Aug 11- Nov 9 or 14) you need to have the determination and mindset to wake up every day at 5 am to jump into freezing cold water for an hour and fifteen minute practice and then be ready for either a meet or two and a half hour practice after school. It’s not an easy thing to ask of a student. Especially with homework, the lack of sleep gets you. But you must power through.
