Fifteen percent fish. Eighty-five percent human. And 100 percent pure dedication. This perfect combination can only be an Olympic swimmer. But one hopeful sophomore shares the Olympians’ determination, and a swim meet in Long Beach gave Loree Olson a chance to see her dream in action.
On Jan. 15-18, Sophomore Loree Olson found herself sitting next to Olympian Jason Lezack. She mustered her nerves and struck up a conversation.
“I said hi and told him that he did a great job in his race. He said thanks and asked about my swimming. I sat right next to him,” Olson said.
However, Lezack was not the only Olympic swimmer to join in the Long Beach meet.
“I got to see Michael Phelps, Matt Grevers, Katie Hoff, Jason Lezack, Margaret Hoelzer, and Rebecca Soni. We got to swim in the same lanes during warm ups, ” Olson said. “I chickened out talking to Michael Phelps, but he kept walking right behind me all the time. But I got a picture with Matt Grevers.”
The close contact with devoted Olympians, and even some of Olson’s favorites, inspired her and made her remember why she has been swimming for about 11 years.
“My favorite Olympic swimmers are Michael Phelps, Matt Grevers, Katie Hoff, and Natale Coughlin because all of them have been chasing after their dreams and have achieved that high level of swimming like I wish to do. They have made a big difference in the swimming world. These swimmers are very devoted to something they obviously love to do with as much time as they put into it. They’re all around good people that represent good ideas. When you watch them swim, it just makes you want to work that much harder and go that much faster to be like them. It made me think of how cool and awesome it would feel to go to the Olympics and achieve my swimming goals and have people look up to me,” Olson said.
Currently, Olson swims for a competitive team, California Capitol Aquatics. This is the team that competed at Long Beach, giving her the opportunity of a lifetime. However, Olson will also swim with the school in the spring season.
“CCA is a good team with a few very good coaches that help us with technique and achieve our individual goals. I am friends with the great people on my team that encourage me and push me to achieve my goals. Our team works together, and it’s improving and growing to a higher level,” Olson said. “[However,] WHS is very different than my competitive team. CCA is year round and is significantly more strenuous than the high school team. The swimming level is higher, and some kids have even competed at Olympic trials.”
Currently, Olson swims for a competitive team, California Capitol Aquatics. This is the team that competed at Long Beach, giving her the opportunity of a lifetime. However, Olson will also swim with the school in the spring season.
“CCA is a good team with a few very good coaches that help us with technique and achieve our individual goals. I am friends with the great people on my team that encourage me and push me to achieve my goals. Our team works together, and it’s improving and growing to a higher level,” Olson said. “[However,] WHS is very different than my competitive team. CCA is year round and is significantly more strenuous than the high school team. The swimming level is higher, and some kids have even competed at Olympic trials.”
Although swimming is a major aspect of Olson’s life, she is also a student who has to maintain a rigorous work load. Her schedule includes AP world history, Adv. Algebra II, and Adv. English.
“It’s difficult balancing school and swim because both take up lots of my time, hours a day. There’s not much time for homework, so I must prioritize work and try not to procrastinate. I don’t have much of a social life, but I have fun and love what I do. Both are making me a better person in all aspects of my life, and they are helping me reach my goals and will benefit me in the future,” Olson said.
SARAH TUCCI
