Swimming fosters friendship’s growth

When senior Jennifer Sims moved across from senior Claudia Meredith in fourth grade, the two didn’t know they would become such close friends.

When freshman year approached, Sims taught Meredith how to swim so the two could join the girls swim team. According to Meredith, being on the team together has positively impacted their relationship.

“There’s a lot of times when you can’t find times to hang out outside of swim, especially when it’s going on, so we get to hang out more,” Meredith said. “I’d also say it adds a little competitiveness, but it’s a healthy competitiveness.”

Sims agreed, and said the competitive aspect of their friendship has also impacted other elements of her life.

“She’s pushed me really hard, not just with swim, but with grades,” Sims said. “Throughout middle school, we were competitive with everything so I would always want to get the better grade.”

Competing in swim together also brings the two closer by providing a topic for discussions.

“[Swim] gives you something to always talk about [and she] always understands what [I’m] going through,” Meredith said.

Meredith said that Sims has ultimately made her more of an extrovert and more willing to participate in high school activities.

“She’s definitely made me more outgoing,” Meredith said. “Freshman year, I wouldn’t go out as much and didn’t want to be outgoing, but she was like ‘OK, we gotta go to the football games, you have to go eat that ice cream with me,’ so that was nice.”

The two intend to continue their friendship and swim together after high school.

“We will both be attending K-State next year,” Sims said. “We plan on joining the club swim team there and [will] continue to push each other. I always have someone to go to no matter what. She’s always there. She may have moved three houses down the street now, but she’s still there.”