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?
I agree with ForceDJ, except if he wants to leave swimming, I'd make sure he has an organized activity lined up to replace it with.
This. I have all boys and, left to their own devices, I'm pretty sure they'd be on the computer or the XBOX non-stop if we didn't insist they did a sport in high school :) The oldest just finished his Senior season. He never did USAS and was not ever the fastest - but he lettered and made some good friends. As a great student but an introvert, it was really helpful for him to have been able to include 4 years of swimming and orchestra on his college applications. It's also made him a more well-rounded human being.
I think it helps that our high school has a water polo club (it's not an official sport here) and the swimmers get to play polo in the Spring. Do you all have anything like that? Our school also has a triathlon club - maybe your son would want to swim to be able to compete in those? Or maybe he just needs to choose a new sport?
I agree with ForceDJ, except if he wants to leave swimming, I'd make sure he has an organized activity lined up to replace it with.
This. I have all boys and, left to their own devices, I'm pretty sure they'd be on the computer or the XBOX non-stop if we didn't insist they did a sport in high school :) The oldest just finished his Senior season. He never did USAS and was not ever the fastest - but he lettered and made some good friends. As a great student but an introvert, it was really helpful for him to have been able to include 4 years of swimming and orchestra on his college applications. It's also made him a more well-rounded human being.
I think it helps that our high school has a water polo club (it's not an official sport here) and the swimmers get to play polo in the Spring. Do you all have anything like that? Our school also has a triathlon club - maybe your son would want to swim to be able to compete in those? Or maybe he just needs to choose a new sport?
