As graduation quickly approaches, many seniors are saying goodbye to their high school extracurricular activities. These students have spent their last four years participating in their clubs and sports, often starting as a member, but becoming a leader in the process.
In an environment such as high school, students often try to find their sense of belonging typically through joining extracurriculars. Whereas many students opt for more popular sports such as volleyball and tennis, senior captain Hannah Bunion chose swim instead. Starting swimming at the young age of four, Hannah developed a fondness for the sport. Through her last four years at Lebanon Trail, she established a strong fellowship as well.
“The main takeaway that I’ve gotten from the four years I’ve spent swimming here at LT is to value the people and the absolute privilege that it is to be able to even be in a sport at any level,” Bunion said.
In preparation for this year’s region swim meet, LT swimmers trained intensely. This includes aerobic training, which allows players to increase their endurance levels as well as their sprint and general technique. Additionally, swimmers are required to work out in the weight room for one hour, two or three days a week. Furthermore, players also participate in dryland workouts, which are exercises outside water that aim to strengthen the muscles of swimmers. These workouts last for 45 minutes and are practiced three times a week.
“It’s a lot less about the actual swimming and more about seeing the hard work pay off in each and every race,” Bunion said
Besides the physical training, the swim team fostered a sense of camaraderie. Even though swimming is typically viewed as an individual sport, LT students put their personal aims aside to honor the achievements of their fellow teammates and peers.
“We all spend a lot of the meet focused on ourselves, but we also cheer each other on and pray for the best for each other,” Bunion stated.
Taking the role of senior captain, Bunion not only had a lot of pressure this season to uphold and lead her teammates, but to honor her legacy here at LT. As her last regional meet approaches, the stakes were extremely high.
“This year was definitely a lot more stressful, yet it was also so much more fun. I was much closer to making state this year, as I ended up 5th in our region-which is one of the fastest regions, but I ended up missing it by one spot,” Bunion said.
Despite not making the state competition, Bunion doesn’t view her last year on the LT swim with a sense of failure but rather gratitude.
“I am forever grateful for the time and opportunities given to me, all of which has taught me how to grow and move on to bigger things,” Bunion stated.
For senior Hannah Bunion, her athletic career doesn’t come to an end yet, as she will continue to be a student athlete this time around at Southwestern University. All in all, these cherished memories and valuable lessons won’t truly be forgotten but rather used to propel her swimming career in the future.
