Where it starts

Dear Editor,

Don' forget our local YMCA swim team.

A portion of the swimmers that the high school receives for their swim team are molded in their younger years of competition.

The YMCA coaches have two seasons of practice competition spanning throughout the year. There is a short summer section and lengthy winter section.

Our students range from 6-year-olds all the way up through high schoolers from McCook and surrounding area. These swimmers are traveling 30 to 45 miles to come swim with us. They have lots of fun, but also work hard to accomplish their practice and competition.

I was told once a long time a go that a lot of sweat and tears were left in that pool after a swim meet I attended with a friend.

It seemed strange to me that you could sweat in the water. Then I tried swimming a 200 freestyle at a 100 percent effort. I gained a lot of respect real fast for these kids pushing so hard. If you're not a swimmer, try it sometime.

So let's not forget where it all starts.

Whether it starts with swimming on their own, or it starts at the YMCA at swim lessons, or just jumping right in a swim team, let's not forget the coaches and volunteers who help shape our future high school swimmers.

For the student who moves on using their swimming experience to go to college, to teach swim lessons, for therapy or moving on to protect us and our county in the armed forces, let's not forget where it starts and lets put out some credit where it should go.

Good luck YMCA and high school swim team.

We all stand behind you and support you! And don't forget we are proud of you.

Aaron Schmidt,

McCook, Nebraska