“Tis the season”! High school swimming is back! Thus far, the Penguins are almost to hitting the three week mark on training. We’ve been working EXTREMELY hard. Our incredible coach pulled one of the school’s sports trainers to make a separate dry land workout - especially for swimmers and divers every Monday and Wednesday. It’s pretty awesome! In the water, our practices are getting us up to 8,000 yards a day. We also enjoy running and abdominal workouts on days pre-practice Tuesday and Thursday - a.k.a. doubles’ days. I actually love doubles. Blessed with two workouts a day can really make someone feel fit. The newbie JV kids aren’t so fond of it; but as long as the negativity stays to a low, I think we have one great season ahead of us.

Lately, out of the pool, summer is coming rapidly to its close (not that I really get much of a summer - thanks club swimming). I’m pretty excited for school. Other than the “going to classes” aspect, I’d just rather see everyone! Though, with a whole new orchestra and choir in my schedule, I might just be ready to get back into the groove of this “school” thing. My schedule, though, is completely packed! I’m not sure if that’s a good thing considering I have three advanced classes. Currently the two classes I am really looking forward to are Anatomy and Chemistry Enriched (Enriched is our school’s fancy way of saying higher placement). Chemistry Enriched won’t get me college credit, as we can’t take AP Chem until senior year; but it’s a sure-fire way to get to those AP senior classes, and be prepared for them too! In the future I’m looking at doing something in the science field, hence the fact that I’m taking two science classes first semester. Dermatology or physical therapy sound pretty interesting.

In Spring River, as a junior, there are only two AP classes that can be taken. The very first is AP English (there’s a more specific name for it, but I can’t remember it presently). That’s good because I’m on summer break –right! The second is APUSH. I’m slightly bummed I didn’t put APUSH on my schedule because I actually thoroughly enjoy history and love reading. I know Chemistry Enriched is will keep me on my feet. Most students that pass through there barely make it out alive –“Eep”! My only concern with enrollment within regular American History is that I’ll be in a class of under-achievers. This appears akin to stereotyping, but in a town like Spring River, it’s not that rare. My third advanced class will be Pre-Calculus. Pre-Calc isn’t really advanced, I’m just a year ahead of the average crowd. Therefore, I’ll be a junior in a large sea of seniors when I walk in the room.

My summer wasn’t the best one yet, which is kind of upsetting. However I did receive my driver’s license and can finally go and grab a bagel after a hard practice every so often. I was so completely tired and consumed by club swimming’s famous 9-practices-a-week that I totally forgot that I have friends outside of the pool. Sounds strange, but how many people can say they attended over 50 practices in one summer?

Now that I’m a junior, September 1^st is the day Division 1 colleges can finally contact me by e-mail! Boy, I’m excited! I’ve sent an unbelievable amount of e-mails. Hey, however I either raid the coach and go to college for free, or am quiet and pay $20,000 a year. Of course I have my dream school (University of Tennessee, Knoxville), but there are so many other colleges that also have incredible teams that would probably suit me better. My final statement for this article is: “HOLY COW” - IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON! You have no idea how thrilling it is to paint yourself white and blue until you’re upperclassmen at your high school attending Friday night games. Until next time, drink water, eat your vegetables and GO PENGUINS!

Jenn Smithson Captain Spring River Penguins