Three-time swimming state champion and senior at Claremore High School Sylvia Admire has been loving the sport for the majority of her life.
Admire was recently named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State swim team.
“I have been swimming for as long as I can remember, however I began swimming on a rec team around the age of seven. At this age I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into, I just knew I loved to play in the water, however; I ended up loving swimming and competing in it as well,” Sylvia said.
Not only is Sylvia on the Claremore High School swim team, she is also on the Trident Aquatics club team, involved in National Honor Society, Chemistry Club, Biomedical Science Club, Math Club, and the Young Democrats. To say she is a busy high school student is an understatement and to accomplish all of her tasks, she has learned a lot about perseverance thanks to swimming.
“In swimming I have had to persevere through many challenges whether it be mental or physical,” Sylvia said. “Pushing myself through the hardest part of the season and constantly chasing my goals has taught me to persevere, and this skill is something I use in my everyday life as well.”
Sylvia not only loves swimming, but she also loves the people she gets to do it with.
“My swim team means a lot to me, both my coaches and my teammates have seen me at my best and worst, yet they are still always there to support me,” Sylvia said. “Not only that, but the sport provides me with an outlet that allows me to work hard at something that I love for a few hours each day. Whether I’ve had a bad day, or I’m just not feeling the best, my teammates always make me feel happy and loved.”
For some athletes, nerves can be the hardest part of competing, but Sylvia uses those nerves to her advantage.
“I feel that having nerves or feeling nervous before an event fuels me. It tells me that I am excited and ready to race, so instead of trying to ‘calm down’ I use my nerves to pump myself up and get ready for my event,” Sylvia said.
Swimming will not stop once Sylvia graduates. This senior has committed to Illinois State University to swim. Not only does she receive an athletic award to go, but she has also earned an academic award from the college.
