Friday May 18th 2012

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A splash of brilliance

BY RYAN SCHUETTE
news@theballstonjournal.com

Ballston Spa swim team senior captain David Gardner is looking forward to Feb. 16. It’s not the date of graduation or the date of the prom, but rather the date the swimming sectionals begin, officially marking the start of his post season run. “Swimming is virtually everything to me,” Gardner said. “It feels like half of my life is spent in the water.”

Gardner has already posted times that have qualified him for sectional and state meets. And he is widely known as the anchor of Ballston’s swim team this year. “We had such a good team last year and we lost so many of the kids that I wasn’t really sure how this year was going to go,” Gardner said. “I was optimistic but there was so much unproven talent. I really love how the team has pulled through and come together nicely.”

Swimming is a very individualized sport, much like track or skiing. While athletes compete in meets as a part of a team, their individual times do not only earn points for their squad; the times also serve to push swimmers along individually. In order to make the sectionals, swimmers have to post a certain time. The same is true in qualifying for statewide meets.

With three meets left to go in the season, Gardner has already splashed himself into the states and is still looking to improve. “Right now I’m stacked up pretty well with other top swimmers in the area,” he said. “But I know for a fact there are other really good swimmers out there that haven’t posted their best times so I really have to keep it up.”

Ballston Spa continues to hold their own despite the inexperienced roster. “We have a very young team,” Gardner said, “but we definitely have talent, and with growth and maturity I really think we will emerge as a powerhouse in the upcoming years.”

As the season draws to a close and the field of swimmers starts to get trimmed down, hopes run high for Gardner and the rest of the Scotties swim team. “Swimming is something I’ve found I’m good at and I have really found a niche in,” Gardner said. The same must hold true for the rest of the team, as they have exploded on to the scene and certainly hope to remain there.

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