There were some great performances at Thursday’s Tooele versus Grantsville swim meet. A handful of swimmers won four events each.
Those winners received big applause from their teammates and fans in the balcony as they scored major points for their respective schools.
The improvement of the Grantsville boys swim team was interesting, along with the continued strength of the latest edition of the Tooele swim team.
I had to smile at some of the writings on the bodies of Grantsville swimmers—such as the inscription on a male swimmer’s shoulder. “He’s mine, leave him alone.” That one must have been authored by his girlfriend or someone who wants to be his girlfriend.
During all the frolic and fun of this local swim meet, however, something stood out that I found more intriguing than anything else. It happened two or three times during the meet.
Every so often a swimmer in one of the long-distance events would lag far behind the rest of the competitors. The Pratt Aquatic Center would go somewhat silent as everybody waited for this lone swimmer to finish the race so the next event could begin.
As these last-place swimmers persevered to finish, the crescendo of cheers started to build around the pool from swimmers on both teams. When these individuals touched the end of the pool to complete the race, the shouts and applause were deafening—louder than the cheers for the winners.
I felt like I had just experienced something unique, something positive, something good.
“I try to teach our swimmers that everybody is out there trying and giving it their all,” said Tooele Coach Mel Roberts. “It would be easy for some to give up, but they’re battling hard like everybody else. I want my swimmers to cheer for everybody who finishes the race, especially those final finishers. I don’t want anybody to feel like a loser.”
Roberts said he feels it is his responsibility as a coach to teach sportsmanship. “I really don’t like the hate or the rivalries that sometimes go with athletics. We’re all part of the swimming family; some just swim for a different school.”
I’ve noticed this “everybody is important” philosophy from cross country teams in our schools as well. One coach told me each individual runner should feel successful if his or her time has improved at the end of the season, regardless of how they place among other competitors.
It’s a good thing to hear all this from the coaches.
It’s also great to witness it live, loud and clear from the athletes themselves.