Hello to Club Swim, current and previous members, parents, alum, and all of our readers! Kimmy here! (A forewarning that this is going to be long, so sorry!)
I wasn’t sure how to start this blog post, so I’ll start off with our swim meet from this past weekend.
**drumroll**
We had Ivies!!!! Everyone did incredible, and we all had so much fun – both in the water, at the poolside cheering, and of course at the afterparty while socializing with the other club swim teams!
I want to give a shoutout to all of the current leadership that made Ivies happen, and to all of the drivers. And in particular, I want to give a few special shoutouts to Michael Sun (our new but already veteran head coach), Max Orman-Kollmar (master of the Airbnb situation and also my adopted little brother), Che Esch (my shuttling-people buddy and also mental support during the car rides), and Libby Decker (for our amazing suits and driving everyone)!
It’s honestly bittersweet and a little surreal, being in my senior spring, no longer being head coach or on “relevant leadership” (as Michael may say), and having finished my last meet of my college career (if I can call it that, haha).
I think all of the seniors on Saturday were thinking the same thing. We couldn’t believe we were done, even as we took a photo together commemorating the completion of our last Ivies. There were some tears, lots of hugging, and just overall disbelief. We’re all heading off to different places, and already currently are doing completely different things on campus – but Club Swim was where our friendships started.
I can feel the tears welling up a bit as I type this, mind and heart racing as well. Part of it is from a quiet sadness. Most people vaguely know that I have been head coach for Club Swim for a long time, particularly due to the close relationship that I have with our supervisors Heather and Joann. I think fewer know that I have been the coach since the end of my freshman year/my sophomore fall.
In my 4 years here, I have been involved with so many things on this campus, both academic and extracurricular. But throughout my entire college career, Club Swim has always meant the most to me. Even on days when I was about to cry from frustration, getting to the pool and seeing my team, coaching, and working with members somehow has always made me feel better. …Well except maybe on the day that Matt and Khoa whacked a bouncy ball towards my face. 😀
Perhaps it was the feeling of having a community to come back to, perhaps it was the smiles on members’ faces when they saw me and said hello – or perhaps it was seeing the emotions of delight and satisfaction when there was improvement for a team member. Perhaps it’s the fact that some of my craziest stories and lifetime’s closest friendships have come from Club Swim, and I trust these friends with all of my heart. I don’t think I’ll ever really be able to pinpoint the reason, but I do know that I will never forget this warm feeling of belonging.
People always tell me “Club Swim can’t do without you,” but I think, at least for the first few months after graduating, I won’t be able to do without Club Swim. Mixed amongst the sad tears are tears of pride and joy, because I am 120% sure that we are leaving the team in capable hands. I couldn’t be more excited about what Michael and the rest of leadership have planned for coming years. (And yes, I will be trying to visit next year when I can.)
Love and hugs to you all! Hopefully I don’t cry at end-of-season banquet…
Signing off officially as leadership,
Kimmy Ma
Favorite movie: A Few Good Men