Stinger in The Water

By Colt Antle

​Water. cool, cleansing, serene, and calming are common words that come to mind when thinking about water. 

The water is steaming with spirit from all the competitors and the races make white water rivers look like a wade in a kiddie pool. One such competitor is Pueblo County High School’s very own Grace Gray.
    
Her interest in swimming stemmed from as far back as she can remember, “I honestly started out swimming just as a way to stay in shape for the upcoming spring soccer season, I never swam competitively before but I had been swimming since I could remember.” Gray would then start to dedicate her time to swimming and becoming much stronger and skilled in the water. This dedication shaped her career path as well, with her going on to work at the YMCA as a lifeguard. This extra practice has been a good way to keep her body in top form for meets and other gatherings.

 As for these meets, her time in them speaks for themselves. In the 50 Free swim she got a time of 00:36.20, the 100 Fly she got 01:30.98, on the 100 Breast swim she got 01:46.79, she got 02:09.47 on the 200 Free Relay, on the 200 Medley Relay she got 02:38.51, and on the 400 Free Relay she had a time of 05:07.05. Gray said, “I spend around seven-eight hours a week practicing, and if we have meets it can be three- four hours or even eight depending on the number of meets and how long they are.”

Much like a ship captain out at sea, struggles must be faced in order to brave the storm. Struggles of doubt and self worth, which can be especially hard on a freshmen who’s just getting their feet in the water and might be treading new and unfamiliar territory. Gray faced this very same issue when she first started out in her swimming career.  

“My freshman year halfway through the season I thought I just wasn't going to get any better and that I couldn't do it anymore. I remember feeling helpless and weak and that I wasn't strong enough to continue” said Gray. After much perseverance Gray was able to push away her clouded and doubtful thoughts and see the lighthouse on the other side. She got better and eventually her pride and dedication began to show with her athletic achievements.  

She said, “My biggest accomplishment is being able to swim all four years of high school and earn the senior sports letter, which is different from the sports bar pins.”  Even her brother, Walker Gray, has begun treading the not so shallow water of swimming. Walker is currently taking a swim class and is even the manager of the swim team. 

One final word from Gray, “My biggest supporters throughout my athletic career have been my parents and family.” It seems that the minow doesn’t swim far from the stream.  ​