For the average student, swimming is a great way cool off and kill time with friends in the summer. For swim team members like Caylee Luebeck, it’s a winter way of life.

Despite the commute to St George’s in Middletown, practicing is a daily commitment for everyone. Here at NK, we don’t own a pool, so even having practices and swim meets at home requires a trip over the bridge. During practice, members of the team spend over an hour doing dry land exercises and an hour doing swimming exercises in the water. “The training’s tough, but it’s totally worth it in the end to see if you improved your time”, said Luebeck. “I always have to remind myself what my goals are”.

Not only is the commitment an intense physical challenge, but is also requires increased responsibility and the ability to manage time. “I definitely have to sacrifice a lot of my time… I have to balance my school load and my extra curriculars”, said Luebeck. No matter what, it will always be worth the stress of finding time for everything. “It’s just a passion that I really love to do”.

North Kingstown has a good reputation for its swimming program. NK alumn Elizabeth Biesel competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics her sophomore year, and won silver and bronze awards in the 2012 Summer Olympics. For many, reaching the Olympics is nothing but a dream, but the journey could start right here within these walls.

Swim meets are normally held on Tuesday’s and Friday’s, with four home meets and four away meets in the season. Both NK’s girls and boys compete in Divison I. Events held include the 200 meter relay and the 200 meter freestyle. So far this season, the boys are yet to have a collective win at 0-3. However, the girls are well on their way to the championship at a 3-1 tie for second with LaSalle and Prout. “We’re gonna take it home this year”, hopes Luebeck, along with the rest of the team.