Attending practices before school as well as on the weekend, training rigorously to drop time, and putting in the work even through fatigue is what it takes to succeed on the swim team at Elkhorn High school. Senior Gavin Visser is the captain of the team this year, and his accomplishments are proof of the hard work that has gone into each practice of his life.
Visser began his sport at a young age, long before Elkhorn High’s swim team was even on his radar.
“I’ve been swimming since I was eight years old, even though that was just swim lessons,” Visser said. “I’ve been swimming competitively since I was in first or second grade.”
Although there are many events to choose from, Visser feels his best is the 100 fly. For non-swimmers out there, “Fly” is short for “Butterfly” stroke, and “100” refers to the number of yards that is swam in one event. Visser explains what this stroke looks like.
“It’s what you see Michael Phelps do,” Visser said. “It’s tiring, and it sucks, but I’m good at it.”
Being good at his sport is a common theme throughout Visser’s senior season. Not only has he made waves at the state level, but he has left a permanent legacy on the Elkhorn High swim team.
“For a while, I was top in state in the 100 Fly, and I’ve already gotten the school record for it,” Visser said. “I’ve been elected captain, and am contributing a lot to the team.”
However, becoming a state qualifier and top place-winner doesn’t happen overnight. Visser puts in the work before school, after school, and on his valuable weekend time. Speaking on the demanding practice schedule, the senior explained to those outside of swimming how he remains determined throughout the struggle.
“You’re moving just about constantly as you swim a lot,” Visser said. “Your muscles will ache after every single one, but that’s what it takes to get better with an extremely competitive team, especially in the past few years.”
As he prepares to finish out his senior season, Visser has set lofty goals for himself. Even with all his previous successes in the sport, the senior still has achievements he looks forward to accomplishing.
“I’m hoping to beat not only the school record, but the team record by dropping about two seconds, and it’s not going to be easy,” Visser said. “I’m going to be the best in the state; I’m going to win at State.”
