College Athletes-Personal Narrative

“Good luck!” Kat uttered nervously, tucking her brown hair into the metallic cap we both wore, as she stared at the crisp water before us. Nodding back to her, I peered out into the crowd, reverberating and wailing for the anxious competitors. I shivered and gazed back to the still translucent, glassy water. Nerves overcoming me, I closed my eyes, and visualized myself winning my heat, out touching my opponents, slamming my hands onto the wall before all others. “It’s only a 200 fly,” I muttered to myself, as I approached the blocks, “it's only a 200 fly...” The roar of the crowd buzzed throughout the entire building, and it almost seemed to make the blocks shake. I couldn’t even imagine how this much commotion could be even contained in the Rochester Sports Complex. What little sunlight cre into the room, gently splashed onto my face, warming my cheek . The door swung open, and for a split second, I could feel a slight breeze, joined by a few colorful leaves. The humidity in the room made me sweat more than nerves
I regained my confidence, when I saw my best friends cheering wildly for me, from the crammed bleachers, full of chlorine soaked bags, tired swimmers, and not to mention, food, lots of food. The thought of food floode my mind, and I could taste the lingering of the sweet savory flavor of the Brugers bagel I had gotte earlier that morning from across the street. The sharp piercing noise of the 3 whistles from the official interrupted my thought. Stepping onto the scratchy blocks, I got a whiff of the thick essence of the chemical that now runs through my bloodstream, and from a distance I could hear sobbing. I knew that feeling, the feeling of defeat, utter embarrassment, and humiliation. Focusing back onto my fierce competitor, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, attempting to clear my racing