Several years ago The Lamron featured a column, The Weekly Wave, written by a swimmer. This column highlighted the Geneseo swimming and diving team’s weekly accomplishments and reflected on what it meant to be a swimmer. After much pestering from my teammates, I’ve finally been cajoled into restarting that column.
As a current member of Blue Wave, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be on this team. There is, of course, a long list of accomplishments that I could write about. Blue Wave seldom loses a meet, has won many consecutive SUNYAC championships and regularly sends athletes to nationals. There is, however, more to being a member of Blue Wave than just successful statistics.
As this past weekend – Sept. 23-25 – was homecoming, alumni filled Geneseo’s streets while returning to their old haunts. Every year on this weekend is a Blue and White Alumni meet in which we have a playful competition between current swimmers and our alumni. The whole affair is a perfect excuse to see old friends and establish ties between the younger swimmers and the older graduates. While those of us still currently on the team have to race our usual events, the alumni like to spice up the meet by wearing fins or turning individual races into relays. By the end of the day, everyone is laughing and enjoying themselves.
While I was standing on the side of the pool, I thought about why I love my team and what has made this whole sport worthwhile. I realized that although Blue Wave may seem cliquey to others, it is our pride that gives us that appearance, and Blue Wave has an enormous amount of pride.
For example, I’ve met alumni who graduated five, 10 and even 15 years ago; I’ve even met an alumnus who went to nationals back in the ‘70s. The sheer number of returning alumni leaves little doubt in my mind that it is pure pride that draws past swimmers back to Geneseo.
In the end, I think that it is our pride, combined with our love for our sport and our teammates that sets this team apart from others. I am, however, on the team, so I’m a biased source. But if this little column survives, then you can decide for yourself. Take my words as you will, but please remember: It is my pride that encourages me to share these stories, not my ego.