Girls swimming members overcome challenges, build family bond

Natalia Diaz

This year, the swimming team has created an incredible team with unique and great swimmers. Natalia Diaz, 11, is a part of this team for the second year in a row and has improved a lot since her first day.

The interest in swimming has been in Natalia’s head for a while now.

“I gain interest in the sport when I was small. I used to watch the swimming events at the Olympics with my dad,” said Diaz.

Her dream of being in a swimming team became a reality when she entered the team here in August of 2016. Since then, she has been swimming in the meet’s freestyle and breaststroke events. Although Diaz swims both styles, her favorite is Breaststroke because of how simple it is to perform and how appealing it is to the eye.

Being in the team has made Diaz a more responsible and organized person. She wakes up early every morning to be ready to start warm ups, which are at 6:50 am at the Armijo swimming pool.

“Being in the team has helped me in being mentally stronger and physically by keeping in shape” Diaz said.

Diaz has met important people in the team. Recently graduated Gerardo Ramirez, Senior Vanessa Hernandez, Juniors Ashley Ramos and Jaqueline Ojeda have created a strong bond with Diaz since her arrival to the team by giving her a new place to call “home.”

“I didn’t realize we had a strong bond as a team until one day, we were playing Ninja before a meet and I saw everyone laughing and having a great time. It gave me an amazing feeling knowing that we weren’t just a team anymore, but a family,” Diaz said.

Ashley Ramos

Have you ever wondered how much effort it takes to be a swimmer? Ashley Ramos, who is a second-year swimmer in the swim team, comes everyday from Juarez and she always tries her best to make it to every practice and every swim competition.

She is a very dedicated student who loves swimming. Although she is involved in many school activities and programs, as well as having a lot of homework and projects to turn in, she is pleased at the thought of having an early morning swim practice.

Ramos said that she is passionate about swimming because it makes her feel happy. Ramos said she has really improved her time during swimming. She dropped about 7 seconds from the time she had last year.

“It may not be a lot, but in swimming, every second matters.” – Ashley Ramos, 11

Ramos said that it is very difficult to cross the bridge every morning afternoon after the swim competitions. The swim season is during the winter, and the mornings and nights of the meets are very cold, and walking across the bridge is very frustrating.

“I have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. every day to be at the bridge on time, since the lines are long and I do not know how much I will be waiting. Then, I have to walk to the pool, or sometimes run because I am late,” Ramos said.

Not only does Ramos have to make extra effort to get early to practice because she lives very far, but as well as from the swim competitions to her house.

Of course, none of these factors stop Ramos from going to practices and swim meets.

Ramos has two favorite strokes since she began swimming.

“Freestyle and breaststroke have always been my favorite since I dominate them the most and I get to breath in every stroke,” Ramos said.

Ramos said that she loves the way her team works together, since they always give their best at everything. Ramos said that her and the team have improved for the best since the past year. Ramos said that her team is a great, so she would not change anybody or anything about it.

“The team is very close and we can trust each other in whatever we need. We are always supportive, even if it’s not related to swim,” Ramos said.

Ramos’ passion for swim has made her become the swimmer that she is now. Even after the struggles Ramos has faced during her time in swim, she has never given up.

“I get tired, but most times, I love the feeling of knowing I am good at doing the sport that I love the most,” Ramos said.

Vanessa Hernandez

Swimming may not be the most popular sport but it’s definitely a family unlike any other.

What no one knows is that it also takes time and dedication to be a good swimmer. Vanessa Hernandez, 12, has been a part of the swimming team since her freshman year. Hernandez has challenged herself since the beginning of her swimming years.

For her to continue with her passion with the swimming team, Hernandez has to wake up earlier than before because she knows that when she drives, she needs to be at practice before 7:00 am to warm up. Sometimes, the lines are pretty long and she has to wait around an hour or so to cross from Juarez to El Paso. In addition to crossing the bridge, Hernandez also has a job.

“It’s pretty challenging being in work and getting out late at 11 p.m. and going back home to do homework then waking up at 4 a.m. to be at practice in time,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez swims the hardest stroke in swimming which is the butterfly stroke. Swimming butterfly is challenging for the reason that you have to use your abdomen, legs, and arms all at once. Considering butterfly is a more difficult stroke, it requires good technique, as well as strong muscles. Not every swimmer can simply do that.

She has swam butterfly strokes since her freshman year and has proudly improved her time with hard work and dedication. Hernandez has swam a 100 butterfly stroke, which means she has to do 4 laps across the pool. Her fastest time has been 3 minutes, which has been a record for herself. Hernandez practices 4-5 days a week every week from 6:50-8:30 am. Hernandez’s competitions are on Fridays, and they last about 3-5 hours.

“I love butterfly stroke due to when you are swimming, you can actually feel all the adrenaline running through your veins,” Hernandez said.