The Conference meet will soon be upon us and I am forced to realize that at the end of this coming Saturday I and my fellow seniors will no longer be members of the Wabash College Swim Team. Until now, this realization had escaped  me but as I am forced  to cope with the idea, I am not relieved as I once thought I would be nor am I sad; I am instead nostalgic as I look back on the accomplishments of what I will always affectionately call my team. They have taught me so much. 

 

We have done some amazing things during my swimming career including set multiple records, improve our showing at the conference meet to over 1000 points and have had individuals swim national qualifying times. These accomplishments are great but they are not the ones I will remember. We as a team have stood up to and faced down some very daunting situations over the last two years. We have changed coaching staff and philosophies. This is no small task and we lost some teammates who couldn’t adapt but we became stronger for it. We had to deal with a death on campus that forced some of our brethren to move out of the only place they knew as home during their college career. Above all however we have faced the death of a beloved teammate and friend. Nothing could test us as a team as much as that and with the help of each and every person on the team we pulled through and had one of the best seasons we have ever had. I have learned strength from this team that will last me a lifetime.

 

I must say goodbye and leave the team in the capable hands of the underclassmen. I leave you with some advice for the future from my experience in the past (I know that knowledge doesn’t come from the aged, but a little advice never hurts so pay attention). It sounds cliché I know, but give it your all. At Wabash that is often easier said than done with the demanding nature of our beloved alma mater but it can be done and done well (not that I have always done it well). Make training fun. Be loud and boisterous during practice without being annoying. Swimming sucks and there is no way around it but you can make it more bearable by making the time between swims more enjoyable. Finally, listen to your seniors and captains. I know that coming from me that sounds like a load to you right now, but they will have seen most of it before and often have a privileged vantage point. They will always look out for your best interests.

 

Some specialized advice; to the freshman, it may seem like a lot of work now, and you may feel like quitting, but it is true what they say…It may be hard but it is worth it. Sophomores, you don’t have it all figured out and you never will. I’m still trying and I’m supposed to graduate in May. Juniors, the team is in your hands, treat the coaches and your teammates with respect and make sure you study for comps during training trip. Last but not least to my fellow seniors and to the coaches, it has truly been a privilege. I wish you all the best next year and will look fondly upon the time we have spent together.

 

Before the time comes that I must finally say goodbye however, we still have one last chance to show the school, the conference, and each other what we can do as a team. Step up, put your training to use and leave it all in the pool. We are the best team I have seen here in my four year swimming career. I have faith in our abilities and our potential. I KNOW WE ARE STRONG. I KNOW WE CAN SUCCEED. I KNOW WE WILL ALWAYS FIGHT!

 

-Brent Graham-