Since she was eight years old, junior Avery Reisenger has been swimming competitively.

This year, she competes in both the 500-meter freestyle and 100-meter breaststroke for Girls Swim and Dive. Moving forward, Reisenger sets goals for the future and reflects on the struggles of her sport.

Reisenger says she moved around frequently as a kid, trying several different sports along the way. However, swimming was always the grail she returned to, putting in countless hours of effort to improve.

“I was swimming for my team back in Illinois, a competitive swim team. I know for the longest time I couldn’t break 30 seconds on my 50 freestyle, and I don’t know, it was just so hard,” Reisenger said. “And then I did it. My dad made me a goal, if I broke 30 seconds, I could get an Xbox. I did it and I got an Xbox two hours after that meet.”

Reisenger says that one of her biggest struggles was during her sophomore year, when she was battling ear infections and unable to swim for her team.

“It’s just something in my body was just like nope, you get infected… so I couldn’t swim. But now I learned that I need to clean my ears, so I don’t get any infections and then can’t swim at state or districts,” Reisenger said.

Not only did Reisenger learn that clean ears were a necessity in swimming, but now her coach advises the entire team to keep their ears squeaky clean and water free. Sometimes, it may involve a sarcastic glance at Reisenger.

No matter the challenging times, Reisenger wants to share her advice from the lessons she learned, the hurdles she jumped over and the hard truths she had to accept with those who may struggle with mental toughness and difficult losses.

“I really just think of my own personal time,” Reisenger said. “Just try to beat your time, and the people around you are helping you. I’ve swam the 500[meter freestyle] against girls who’ve lapped me three times. Every time they lap you, just kick a little harder. And then they’re going to zoom away, but that’s okay.”

Reisenger says that if she could tell her past self one thing, it would be that swimming has its challenges, but those challenges can ultimately be beat and you can grow from them.

“You’re going to have difficulties in swimming. You’re not going to get a PR every swim meet, just do your best and clean your ears,” Reisenger said.

Reisenger says she hopes to lead a successful career in architecture at West Point military academy in New York post her graduation in spring of 2025. While she doesn’t plan on furthering her swimming career at West Point, the athlete is thankful for the lessons it has taught her, such as keeping an optimistic mindset and always pushing through difficult times.