The Power of Perseverance and Teamwork: From an Athlete's Perspective
What does it take to persevere in times of great struggle? What does it mean to be a part of a team? This blog recounts my high school experience with sports and explores how being part of a team taught me to persevere and just keep swimming.
Recently, I decided to start swimming again, and I couldn’t help thinking back to my first high school year. It was approximately the first week of the school year, and Club Rush overtook campus. Booths were endorsing incoming first-year students to join school-sanctioned activities and sports.
I had always considered myself more of a bookworm than an athlete. I had very little stamina and no desire to compete. I had intended to keep walking, but I came across the booth sponsoring the winter water polo team, and my curiosity was piqued. Frankly, I had no clue what water polo was.
The seniors in charge of the booth described it as aquatic soccer, where two opposing teams compete to score a rounded ball into the opposing team’s goal. All while treading water. I was anxious and intrigued by the idea. I had attempted soccer in the past, but it ultimately wasn’t for me. However, I considered myself a decent swimmer, and it was my way out of P.E.
I signed up, and during orientation, I realized that out of a thousand students, only NINE other girls signed up for the team! This meant our team only consisted of ten, and I suddenly found myself on my high school’s varsity water polo team!
Luckily, two of the nine other girls included two friends of mine at the time. On the first day of practice, I was nervous but comforted that I had two friends by my side. We were introduced to the coach, who insisted we introduce ourselves individually and explain what led us to join the team.
Again, my nerves have set in. I joined because, yes, I was curious about the sport. But I also joined because it replaced P.E. When it came time for my turn, I admitted to both, and honestly, that did not sit well with my new coach. Because from that day forward, my coach was far from kind to me. He perceived me as the weakest link, and that hurt.
Please note: This recollection is not meant for me to rag on my old coach or turn anyone away from water polo, but I will certainly not be singing his praises. He was not the coach depicted in the movies that gave riveting speeches and waves of encouragement. He yelled and put us down every time we lost, and we lost a lot. Safely said, he did not help with my athletic confidence.
Within the first month of school, we had begun attending practice. But because our school was still being built, we lacked a pool to practice in, so we constantly borrowed another local school’s pool. Until our pool was completed, my parents would drive me back and forth for practice.
I remember the water being immensely cold every time we threw ourselves into the pool. Recall that I considered myself a decent swimmer, but I remember continuously struggling to tread water. It was then I realized the difference between casual and athletic swimming, and I worried I wasn’t cut out for the team. But I wasn't the only one struggling. Most of our team struggled to keep up with the routines, and our coach wasn’t making it easy for us.
One time, our coach made us practice in the pouring rain. The water was colder than ever, and when we finished up, everyone was shaking. I got home, took a hot shower, and woke up sick. I skipped school and practice altogether and dreaded going back.
I felt I could not confide in my coach about my actual struggles. I probably would have quit if not for my friends on the team. I could see they were getting stronger and starting to excel. Meanwhile, I was left feeling like a weak link. I felt like I was holding my team back, but I couldn’t quit because that would worsen our chances of winning. With a team of ten that got titled of varsity for being the only ten interested in the sport, we struggled against other varsity teams.
I could not remember us ever winning, but I could see how hard the team tried. Meanwhile, I was trying to stay afloat while the opposing team tried to drown me mid-game. I wanted to prove myself and show them that I belonged on this team and could excel like my friends and get the victory we desperately needed. But looking back, I cannot remember ever having that shining moment seen in the movies.
It was a hard winter that tested my endurance, perseverance, and confidence, but ultimately it was not something I regretted. There were times I just wanted to skip practice and games altogether. My coach was far from supportive, and my teammates and I were very tired by the end. But it pushed me to my limits and taught me that if I could survive such a harsh winter, I could survive the rest of high school.
You could argue our coach was only trying to make us stronger, but I think back at him as a bully. If your coach puts you down rather than brings you up, it might be time to talk to someone. Coaches should act as mentors, teaching us the fundamentals but encouraging us to get stronger through our means. Strength comes in different shapes and forms, and not everyone will excel at the same rate.
My message to you is that perseverance and strength vary. Like me, you could be the weakest link and feel the need to excel or prove yourself worthy. But remind yourself that not everyone is born to excel at everything. What is important is that you try and persevere through the pain, but also allow yourself grace.
Value how you genuinely feel. When something feels wrong, acknowledge it.