Competitive swimming isn’t as easy as athletes make it seem.

With all the core exercises and day after day conditioning, it takes a toll on a swimmer’s body, but swimmers think it’s worth it.

On the outside, swimming seems like an easy sport to students wanting to simply participate in a sport. What those students don’t understand is how strenuous competitive swimming is on the body. Not only do they participate in different exercises during practices to strengthen their bodies, they also dedicate six days of the week to swimming.  

The girls swimming season started on Oct. 22. While veteran swimmers prepare to get back into their usual exercise and practice routines, new swimmers are just beginning the struggle.

Freshman Avery Tucker is a new swimmer and trying to get into the swing of things at Perry. She started swimming as a hobby at age eight, and it has stuck with her since.

Her first experiences with competitive swimming took place at SIA (Southside Indy Aquatics) and then she decided to join the swim in middle school.

“I’m really close with the club team because I’ve been with them so long,” Tucker says.

When Tucker joined the swimming at Perry, she saw a difference that she had to learn to get used to.

“It’s different because we have morning and after school practice,” she says. “With the club, we’re there from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.”

Not only are the early morning and late afternoon practices a daunting task to a newcomer, but swimmers also have to watch their diets.

“Especially before big meets, I’ll definitely clean my diet up by trying not to eat sweets,” she says.

While some swimmers try to clean up their diets, they also lift weights and do core exercises whenever they can to strengthen and build necessary muscles to keep up and win races without struggle.