You might remember childhood swim lessons as a blur of cold water, strict instructors, and the vague fear that someone in your lane definitely shouldn’t have been so hydrated. But for swimmers at Summit High School, the water and their teammates became something they looked forward to. 

Many of them started early, long before they understood what commitment meant. 

“I started swimming when I was in 1st grade,” said Summit senior Ethan Van Ess. “[I swam because] my parents forced me to.” 

What began as a parent-made decision eventually became an outlet for movement and discipline.

 “My favorite part is being able to work out and get active every night,” said Van Ess, adding that the sport taught him that “perseverance and practice can get you anywhere.”

That combination of discipline and community is central to the Summit swim team. 

“Being on the swim team is definitely a team bonding experience… If you want to get really good at anything, it just takes a lot of practice, and you have to show up and give 110 percent of your energy. Because if you show up and give 10 percent, you won’t get better,” said Summit junior Raphael Maloney when reflecting on how the sport demands commitment while fostering relationships. 

“It’s a full-body workout, which is nice. 
It’s a big change of pace from other sports,” said Summit senior Skye Knox. 

Knox also echoed the importance of dedication and the competitive environment, noting that swimming is an atmosphere where effort and teamwork go hand in hand. For her, the sport has been about more than laps in the pool. It has been a place to grow, to push limits, and to connect with teammates over shared challenges.

For Summit swimmers, the pool is where effort and teamwork meet, even when the water is cold and practices feel endless. It’s also early mornings, hard sets, shared exhaustion, and teammates becoming the only people who understand why anyone would willingly jump into a pool before sunrise.