Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Swimming and Diving Journal - Courtney Warren
8/18/2009 8:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Aug. 18, 2009
Last summer, I, along with the rest of the world, was mesmerized by the Water Cube performances in Beijing: Phelps, Lochte, Peirsol, Hoff, and Torres... Never in my wildest dreams did I think I belonged in the same pool with them.
Last summer, if someone told me that I would be swimming in the same meet as all of these Olympians and more, I wouldn't have believed it.
That was last summer.
From the start of the swim season last year, it became clear to me that it was not going to be a `usual' season for our Bucknell swim team. Week in and week out, I saw our times in practice drop significantly from years' past. Our collective attitude was more positive; our work ethic had improved, and our times in dual meets reflected it. We saw our hard work ultimately pay off at our championship meet, when 14 team records fell.
At the end of Patriots, I was pleased with my improvements in all of my events. However, being a swimmer means quickly readjusting your goals. So, naturally, when I was close to my World Championship Trial Cut, I wanted more. I committed my summer to achieving that goal. I saw the hard work pay off a few weeks ago when I achieved my 100-meter backstroke cut; I was going to Indianapolis to race against the greatest swimmers in the nation, the greatest swimmers in the world.
When I got to Indianapolis, my excitement level was at an all time high. I was in the same hotel with Phelps, Torres, and Hoff; I saw Aaron Peirsol become the first swimmer in the world to go under 52 seconds in the 100-meter backstroke, and I ran into every American Olympic swimmer I can think of. While my lone race in the prelims was not my best time, I was happy to have had this opportunity. It was a great learning experience, and I know it is a memory I will hold dearly for years to come.
However, I'm a swimmer. I want more. So while this goal was finally achieved, I still want to improve. Going to a meet like this has left me with a broader mind about what is possible for me as a swimmer, and I plan on working harder to reach that potential.
