My son is a 10th grader. He is the best swimmer on his team, he is struggling with continuing on. At times he likes it, other times he really dislikes it. Small school Div 3 in Michigan. He is not a phenom swimmer, could maybe swim in college which he does not want to do (which I understand, especially for a walkon or a partial scholarship, you need to really love the sport). Not likely he will be involved in any other sport in HS. He likes weight lifting so he will stay in shape via personal work outs lifting and some running. He has a life guard job (very part time) but will be around the water.
He swam club from 3rd to 7th grade taking springs off. Took 8th grade off and then swam HS for 9th. He is a big kid. 6' 3" 215 pounds with size 16 flippers. Mostly a sprinter but can swim all strokes any distance. 23.39 50 SCY is his best time. No prep for this season, just weight lifiting and some running this past summer. No club swimming.
Team and Coaches would miss him. Coaches are very understanding and are very flexible in dealing with swimmers as individuals. They really look at swimmers as individuals and customize their program to the type of team and swimmers they have.
I am thinking he will not be back next year. I think he will regret it later. But in the end he must want to do it.
Any thoughts on how you felt about HS swimming? any motivating tips?
Does he have friends on the team or is he kind of a lone wolf? One of the biggest reasons the kids I know continue to swim HS (in addition to club) is because it's fun. They represent their school, hang with their friends at meets and HS meets are usually more relaxed than USS meets.
Representing their school is actually a bigger deal than I originally thought - these are kids who (usually) don't play other sports so being able to be on a team and potentially get a Varsity letter is a big deal.
I would also say it ultimately has to be on him. The teens I coach who swim because their parents are pressuring them or "make them" are unhappy and many end up quitting.
Does he have friends on the team or is he kind of a lone wolf? One of the biggest reasons the kids I know continue to swim HS (in addition to club) is because it's fun. They represent their school, hang with their friends at meets and HS meets are usually more relaxed than USS meets.
Representing their school is actually a bigger deal than I originally thought - these are kids who (usually) don't play other sports so being able to be on a team and potentially get a Varsity letter is a big deal.
I would also say it ultimately has to be on him. The teens I coach who swim because their parents are pressuring them or "make them" are unhappy and many end up quitting.
