Some swimmers who balance high school and year-round club commitments find themselves picking and choosing which meets and practices to attend.
Senior Zach Davidson took advantage of the recent winter break to enjoy focusing on swimming — for Bishop McGuinness and STAR Aquatics — without the added pressures of schoolwork. The day after Christmas and the day after New Year's Day, he was in the water.
Twice.
"It's hard for me, especially over break," Davidson said of the multiple workouts on days when most of his peers probably are relaxing. "I'm just trying to finish my senior year strong."
Davidson has a clear goal. As a freshman, he qualified for the NCHSAA 2-A/1-A state meet in his individual events. The next two years he advanced out of the preliminaries.
So what's left?
"My goal for this year is to get a medal in something," he said.
Davidson competes in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and on the Villains' 200- and 400-freestyle relay teams. He is hoping McGuinness can pull out a victory in the team competition after coming close during his sophomore year.
"For us, it's a real plus," co-head coach Bill McKenzie of McGuinness said of Davidson's year-round swimming. "We only have an hour (for high school practice). They can get as many as two, three hours with their (year-round) team. And for him, it can accelerate his chances of what he wants to do at the high-school level."
THREE QUESTIONS FOR DAVIDSON
Q: Do you have any pre-meet superstitions?
A: I always step up (on the starting block) with my left foot first.
Q: Who is your favorite TV character?
A: Sheldon Cooper from "The Big Bang Theory"
Q: What is your favorite sound?
A: Guitar
Steve Hanf
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