Overwhelming
The smell of chlorine hit me like a punch in the gut. Swimmers, coaches, and parents buzzed around like bees in a hive.
My first reaction--"wow". That was the moment my heart started pounding, my palms started sweating, and my stomach started twisting into weird shapes like it was a glob of play-doh. Here I was. A little seven year-old girl, nervously mounting the starting block, about to compete with girls from all around New Jersey. Overwhelming.
As I was standing on the block, shivering like I was a featherless bird in the Arctic, I saw other girls looking confident and superior like they knew they were going to win. So I puffed up my chest and tried to look tough to. I did some stretches , and finally heard, "On your mark......BEEP," and I dove.
The freezing water gave me goosebumps all over. I could hear my teammates encouraging me as I came up to breathe. My heart was ready to pound right out of my chest, and my legs were already burning.but I was determined to win this race. I looked back behind me and saw the other girls right at my heels. I panicked and sprinted to the finish line breathing hard
As I got out, my coach, Carolina handed me a towel."You were awesome out there!" she exclaimed
"I was?" I thought.
“Look!” Carolina said, pointing up to the scoreboard.
I looked up. My jaw fell.
LANE 5: MAGGIE ZHANG: 1
First place
That night in bed, I thought about how nervous and insecure I was. How confident and prepared the other girls looked. I thought about my coach, teammates , and family cheering me on, congratulating me when they learned I had won.
I knew then I was completely ready for my next meet.