Though I only started swimming for a competitive club team in 2017, my love of swimming was developed long before that. Prior to 2017, I had always been a valuable member of my swim club's summer swim team. Through many years of summer swimming, my coaches recognized my strength as a swimmer and often tried to convince my parents to allow me to swim for a team all year long. My parents were hesitant to add to my already busy schedule as a competitive Irish step dancer. After the summer of 2017, both my. parents and coaches were impressed with my strengths as a swimmer and I was able to convince my parents that I could handle the sacrifices and dedication to practice necessary to do well in both sports. By managing the demanding practice and competition schedules for two very different sports, I have developed a strength of character, an understanding of personal time management, and dedication to maintaining good grades.