News Summary

As her senior year comes to a close, Vanessa Calva of George Jenkins High School is focused on achieving state qualifying times in her final competitive swimming season. Specializing in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events, she is determined to break school records and tackle every swimming event during the regular season. With the support of her coach and a rigorous training regimen, Vanessa prepares for upcoming meets, showcasing her dedication both in the pool and in balancing her academic life.

Vanessa Calva Sets Sights on State Qualifying Times in Final Senior Swim Season

In the vibrant city of Lakeland, excitement is swimming high as Vanessa Calva, a senior swimmer at George Jenkins High School, gears up for what she has described as her last season in competitive swimming. As she approaches the finish line of her high school swimming career, she has decided to focus solely on her school team, leaving her club swimming days behind to devote her time and energy to her team.

Going for Gold: Setting Records and Goals

Vanessa, who specializes in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle, has set her eyes firmly on a couple of ambitious goals. Not only does she aspire to break the school record of 53.35 in the 100 freestyle, but she also hopes to qualify for the state meet. To qualify, she needs to be among the top 24 swimmers from regionals, a feat she narrowly missed last season, finishing as the first alternate at No. 25.

In a push for improvement this season, she decided to take on a unique challenge: swimming every event during the regular season. This determination led her to tackle the 100 breaststroke just last week, completing her challenge with success!

Training to Triumph: A Focus on Technique

With strong foundations built from her years in club swimming, Vanessa has embraced the diverse training regimen that Coach Jenn Gosline designed for her. She trains hard, focusing on the 100 and 200 freestyles, and has even taken steps to prepare for the 500 free, ensuring her pacing and endurance are up to the mark. She finds the butterfly stroke to be quite a challenge but tackles it head-on, incorporating varied strokes into her practice.

This season, Vanessa has achieved remarkable milestones, winning every event she swam, except for a close finish in the 100 breaststroke where she was edged out by teammate Madaline Dolan. Coach Gosline commended Vanessa for her remarkable achievement, expressing pride in her unique decision to swim every event, a feat unmatched in her 24 years of coaching at George Jenkins.

The Road Ahead: Upcoming Meets and Aspirations

As Vanessa dives deeper into her final season, her focus is unwaveringly set on the upcoming Lakeland City Meet. Judging by her latest performances, she feels stronger and faster than ever, boasting a personal-best time of 54.15 in the 100 freestyle. This signifies a notable improvement from last year, where she clocked in at 56.52 to clinch the county meet title and a district best of 54.75.

Last year, she shone as the county champion in the 200 freestyle with an impressive time of 1:55.82, but her recent run at the regional meet saw her touch the wall at 2:01.52. Nevertheless, she looks forward to building on her past performances, channeling her energy towards achieving greater heights.

Juggling Priorities: Balancing School and Swimming

Outside of the pool, Vanessa is a dual-enrolled student, taking just one class at George Jenkins, while also maintaining an independent morning training schedule. These early morning sessions, a key component of her training, have been designed to push her limits and enhance her speed, incorporating hints of technology like a tempo trainer.

As she sets the course for her future, Vanessa has aspirations of becoming a dental hygienist after high school. However, she is aware of the challenges of balancing academics with the rigorous demands of college swimming, a thought that weighs heavily on her mind.

A Bittersweet Goodbye: Cherishing Memories Made

Despite the achievements, Vanessa can’t help but feel a sense of sadness as she approaches the end of her swimming journey. Her heart is full of memories forged through team bonding and friendships, which she considers some of the richest rewards that swimming has given her. Participating in swimming sectionals and challenging herself to swim every event this season stand as two of her proudest accomplishments. As her time in the pool nears its end, this dedicated swimmer leaves a legacy that will last long after her last race.

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