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Students at Carter High School in Dallas are heading to the UIL regional competition in swimming on Friday for the first time in decades.
The boys swim team, re-started just four years ago, claimed the District 15-5A championship last week – an impressive achievement.
Most of the team didn't swim at all until the track coach, James Spencer, recruited them to the newly formed team. His intent was to keep them busy, focused and away from potential problems.
“I have a great, great group of students - student athletes that play multiple sports,” Spencer said.
“It was exciting because I’m not, like really, a swimmer,” said swim team member Michael Samihamba. “They just got me out here helping the team its really fun.”
The coach said the team is not only succeeding in the pool, but doing well academically.
Spencer said the team is dedicated, as they have to travel about ten miles every day to practice at a City of Dallas pool. No Dallas ISD high school has a natatorium.
“We try not to look at what we don’t have and try to capitalize on what we do and try to make sure that our kids are skillful enough to be successful,” Spencer said.
In addition to swimming, Jahsir Williams plays football, soccer and runs track. He said swimming is helping with all of that.
“Big time, because when you’re in the water it’s a different type of tired, it’s a different type of breathing,” Williams said.
They say they know what it will take to win this week at regionals against more experienced teams -- fast times, staying focused and beating the opponent next to them.