By: Griffin Bolhuis and Bradyn Blacquiere
As a freshman swimmer in high school, many can say that making the state cut is a dream. For most, that dream doesn’t come true. On the other hand, for Alyssa Volkers that dream was fulfilled.
Alyssa has been swimming for a long time and she just started her freshman season at Hamilton with a bang. We asked Alyssa how long she has been swimming, “10 years.” This is her first high school season, but it is not her first rodeo.
She swims five events in total, those being: the 200 IM, the 100 fly, the sprint relay, the 4×100 relay, and the medley relay. Her involvement in these events have led the swim team to a successful season so far with their record being 4-3.
With all of these accomplishments and her input into the season, you would think competing as a freshman is pretty tough. We got the chance to ask Alyssa how the season has been going for her so far and if it has been difficult swimming as a freshman. “Yeah but with how fast I am right now, it’s kind of amazing to think I can even get faster as a senior.”
There is definitely a bright future ahead for Alyssa Volkers and her high school swimming career. Alyssa has some very impressive PR’s already this season. Some of those being a 220.13 in the 200 IM, a 102.0 in the 100 fly, a 26.08 in the 50 free, and in the 100 free she swims a 56.00.
Alyssa qualified for the state meet in 4 out of her 5 events. This is a big accomplishment for her and we asked how she thinks she’ll perform in the meet. “Really well actually, I injured myself last year and I’m still working though that but we’re fixing it currently.” Making state is hard enough by itself but working through injuries and still making the cut as a freshman is awe-inspiring.
The four events that Alyssa made the state cut for are the 200 IM, 100 fly, 100 free, and the 200 free. These events are difficult to make state in the first place, but the 200 free is one of the hardest events to make state for in high school swimming.
Going this far in swimming is definitely a challenge and it takes a lot of commitment and hard work even in the off season. Most of Alyssa’s life involves swimming. “I swim all year round.” Alyssa is solely focused on the pool as she noted that, “I don’t really have any.” just goes to show how much time and effort has to be put into swimming.
Alyssa gave us some insight on the other sport that she plays which is softball. “I do swim and softball, I also swim all year round through club swim.” Balancing two sports and making state in four events is pretty impressive, considering that she is a freshman.
Swimming can be classified as a very personal sport, it still takes a team to win meets. The team’s record this season is 4-3. A winning record takes a team, we asked Alyssa what she describes the team dynamic like. “It’s really energetic, your team is like your family.” Having good team qualities helps get results and we can really see that this year.
In middle school, Alyssa broke a number of records, those being the 100 IM and the 50 fly. She was a big contributor to her middle school team and her club swimming team seeing as she broke two middle school records.
We got a chance to talk to Alyssa about her records and how she sees the future going for her high school career. “I’m hoping to get a couple of the high school records by my senior year.” There is definitely an eventful future for her in the upcoming high school years.
Alyssa is a very talented swimmer and a big contributor to the Hamilton high school swim team. It can be tough to compete in high school sports as a freshman, but she has shown that she is determined enough to do it. Alyssa shows that with her records and how well she is swimming thus far in high school.