Every month, we recognize two student athletes, one from a boys team and another from a girls team, for their performance on the field. This month, we recognize junior Gracie Huaman.
This is Huaman’s first year at DPMHS and on the Birmingham Community Charter High School JV girls swim team. Huaman has experience surfing and decided to join swim due to her love for the water. She plans to remain on the team for her senior year as well.
Q: Why did you decide to join the swim team?
A: I surf and always liked the water and swimming. I also wanted to keep fit and have the experience of being a part of a team.
Q: What is your favorite part about being on the swim team?
A: The friends I made and the individual experience of trying to improve.
Q: What is your favorite length to compete in?
A: 50 (meters). I’m a sprint person. I like them because I’m not very good at the long distance and things like that.
Q: Did you pick the length that you compete in?
A: I first got put into it but ended up liking it so I stayed with that.
Q: How would you describe the culture of your team?
A: It’s a mix. I think the JV team is a lot friendlier than the varsity team. It was an interesting experience.
Q: Do you plan to remain on the team for the rest of high school?
A: Yeah. I only have one year left but I’m going to do it again.
Q: What are your goals for your final year of being on the swim team?
A: Not really sure. I’d like to place at least third once in competitions. It would also be pretty cool to go to CIF.
Q: Can you give a rundown of how your practices go?
A: We start with a warm-up of about 200 meters of just straight freestyle. Then, we do similar stuff with the different strokes. At the end of practice, we do dives.
