In any sport, practice is a fundamental aspect of what players can consciously be present in and spend time learning. "Practice, practice, practice". It has been repeated to us our whole lives. We learn what is working and what isn't, and only a portion of the sport is spent on showcasing what we are capable of. Sometimes it works according to plan, and other times it is not at all what we hoped for. Regardless, we go back to practice and find ways to improve.

The underlying beauty of competition is not who performed the best or who went the fastest time, but rather who tried their best. Reflect. Accept. Adapt. Respond. It emphasizes the journey, not the final outcome. As a swimmer, it can feel scary to step on the block for your event. It can feel daunting and it can feel lonely. However, the irony of swimming is that it is not an individual sport.

Scranton Swimming and Diving embodies a community that captures the essence of the message; Reflect. Accept. Adapt. Respond. We rely on each other during any setbacks, challenges, goals, nerves, and successes. 95% of your time swimming will be with your teammates and even further beyond the pool, you will see a familiar face anywhere you go. In this way, we form an unbreakable bond that carries us through our journey. Reflection is the key to establishing what makes being a Royal so special. There's an opportunity before, during, and after every practice and meet where we can take our individual experiences from the week and apply it to show up as a stronger team. Regardless of the outcome, we accept everything that we laid out. The foundation of what makes this a team can only grow, no matter the outcome. We use what we know and we adapt. How can I change something, no matter how small, to help the greater cause of this team? How can we make ourselves known and remembered? Finally, we respond in any way that we can. The past is in the past, but it is remembered and reshaped to develop the story.

Something that has resonated with me for the start of this season is when one of my teammates expressed the importance of how trying your best can look different every day. Your best will look different from one day to the next, but regardless, we will show up. Success takes many forms and it doesn't happen in one day. The cycle of reflecting, accepting, adapting and responding is continuous, marking the breakthrough for prosperity. This journey is the small details you learn and cherish, beside the people who you lean and rely on.