Freshman Jakob Lambert dove into a new sport early this past December. Although he didn’t have any competitive experience, he decided to join the swim team.

Lambert expressed a desire to find an activity that would improve his physical and mental health, so he chose swimming.

“[Swimming has] always been a little part of my life, but now it’s just a more significant part,” Lambert said.

Although some athletes do not appreciate the stress and competitiveness that overcomes them before their events, Lambert thinks differently.

“I enjoy the competitive feel when you’re about to swim at a meet and everybody is tense,” Lambert said.

Lambert also savors the team that has been built throughout the season. The group of people that he’s able to interact with regularly are an influence for his commitment to the team.

Although he appreciates the competition in the meets, he finds difficulty in the intensity of the practices.

“The extremely strenuous practices [are something I do not enjoy],” Lambert said.

A definitive split between junior varsity and varsity on the swim team isn’t apparent to Lambert. This allows the team to be more broad and accepting, though come competition time, that inclusiveness ends.

“It’s nice when it’s all inclusive during the practices, but at the competitions, you want the best of the best competing,” Lambert said.

Lambert competes in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 400m relay and 200m relay. He has intentions of continuing on the swim team through his senior year.

One factor has been a motivation throughout Lambert’s life, and swimming is another step to try and get him in better, more motivated mindset to reach a goal of his. It has helped him want to try and strive to do well in economic position, health, and happiness.

“An important family member would probably be my grandfather. He has gotten to a point where he has worked hard all his life, and he has gained a more free lifestyle. I’m pretty motivated to get to that point,” Lambert said.

Lambert’s ambitions have changed throughout his life, but he has always stayed focused on working hard to accomplish his goals. Swimming has allowed him to gain goals to strive for in the future.