First Meet: Competition Week & Lessons of Disappointment - Week 6

This past week was all about gearing up for the first big competition of the season, and I can honestly say the nerves hit harder than I expected. With the meet looming over me, each day felt like a countdown to something intense, and that anticipation made the week feel longer than it actually was. Despite the anxious build-up, there were some lighter moments that gave me a much-needed break from the stress.

Training this week was a bit lighter than usual, but "light" is relative when it comes to swimming. Coach cut down the morning practices to just two sessions, which gave us some extra recovery time, but even with that, my body still felt the fatigue of weeks of hard training. It’s a strange feeling to know you’ve been working so hard, yet feel like you're not fully ready for the competition. That balance between rest and effort is something I’m still figuring out. I walked into the competition feeling tired, not as sharp as I’d hoped, which set the stage for a really tough meet.

Our team finally had their media day pictures released, it was exciting to see my teammates proudly posting their pictures online. Although I didn’t post mine, it was still a great feeling to see myself in the lineup, representing Wheeling University. It was a reminder of how far I’ve come, both in my swimming journey and in adjusting to life here. It also made me think about the significance of being part of this team and the support we all have for one another.

When Friday rolled around, we kicked off the competition by traveling on a Wheeling-branded bus to the WU State Games. We were up against a number of other schools, and the whole event felt much bigger than I expected. Despite being mentally prepared for a challenge, physically, I just wasn’t where I wanted to be. Competing while still feeling worn down was a humbling experience. Every race felt like a battle, and my times reflected the struggle. It wasn’t the performance I had been aiming for, and that hit me hard. It’s tough to spend so much time preparing for a meet and not see the results you’ve been working toward. I think this was probably one of the worst competitions I’ve had in terms of times, which was disappointing, but I tried to remind myself that this is just one meet in a long season.

What helped me get through it all was the team atmosphere. We had some moments to relax, like our team breakfast and staying at a nice hotel. Those small comforts made a big difference in keeping up morale. Being surrounded by teammates who were also pushing through their own challenges was motivating in itself, even though the competition didn’t go as planned. Saturday’s event gave us a bit more rest, starting later in the day, which made the morning feel less rushed. Still, it was a long day of swimming, and by the end, I was physically drained but also relieved that it was over.

Reflecting on the weekend, I realized that although my performance wasn’t what I wanted, I still gave it my all under difficult circumstances. It’s frustrating to not hit the times you’ve been training for, but I also know that this is part of the learning process. Competing while fatigued is a skill in itself, and while this meet didn’t go the way I’d hoped, it taught me a lot about how to manage my energy and expectations moving forward.

By Sunday, I was relieved to have a break to catch up on homework and finally take it easy. After such an intense few days, the downtime felt much needed. Although I’m still processing the disappointment of the meet, I’m determined to take the lessons I learned and apply them to the next competition. Every setback is just a stepping stone, and I know I’ll come back stronger. This week was tough, but it taught me a lot about resilience and handling the ups and downs of competitive swimming.

To wrap up the weekend, I made a quick trip to Dollar General, and of course, it was pouring rain with thunder rumbling in the distance. Despite the weather, it felt like a fitting end to an eventful week—a quiet, rainy Sunday that gave me a moment to breathe and reset for whatever challenges lie ahead. We also built a projector screen over our window and watched movies, which has become a really nice way to unwind. Sitting back, watching a film, and relaxing with teammates was the perfect way to close out such an intense week, helping me recharge for whatever comes next.