Champions in the classroom
Swim and dive members continuously succeed in school while performing in the pool.
Sophomore Chase Redington is outstanding in the classroom and in the pool. His dedication shines throughout his grades.
September 26, 2018
Francis Howell Central Boys Swim and Dive team is notorious for their success in league meets and at the state level. With several talented athletes and coaches, triumph in the pool was nothing but expected. More importantly, triumph in the classroom is also evident. Even under the stress of late-night swim practice, the boys still excel in their classes and find ways to manage their time.
The team’s accomplishments go far beyond the pool. Balancing exceptional grades along with long swim practices each day would be a challenge to most, but our FHC swim members not only handle their busy schedules, yet thrive under them.
Sophomore Chase Redington is taking honors classes and still manages to keep good grades while dedicating time to swim, yet managing it can sometimes be difficult. Swim practices take place at night, from 8:00 to 10:00, consuming precious time for homework as well as sleep.
“[Late night practices] makes me feel tired…with the practice times, I usually get home around 10:30, and sometimes I still have homework afterwards. But I always make time for school,” Redington said.
Senior Michael Yu feels similarly about handling academics and swim. A common struggle amongst all high school students is procrastination. Waiting until the last moment before you fall asleep is nothing unheard of to the average student. For swim members, procrastination isn’t possible. Juggling sports and school requires staying on top of work.
“I just can’t procrastinate, then [swim] is manageable,” Yu said.
Last year, the boys swim and dive team cumulatively had a weighted GPA around 3.8, proving their capability to succeed in both swim and school. Some swimmers believe that swim may have had a negative impact on their GPA, but that swim is worth a slightly lower GPA.
Other swimmers feel that swim helps their academics because it allows them to gain time management skills. And some tend to believe that swim doesn’t have an effect on academics, claiming that they are separate from each other. Sophomore Kyle Clauser doesn’t see swim as having an effect on his academic performance.
“I don’t think swim worsens my academics, but it doesn’t help them,” Clauser said.
The boys swim and dive team continues to do well in the classroom and the pool, and will compete next on September 26th.
For updates on FHC sports cumulative GPAs, follow Scott Harris on Twitter.
