Just Keep Swimming

Competitive swimmer McKenzie Galloway uncovers her passion as she finds new motivation with each stroke.

By Sarah Karr

It was the first meet of the season, and the end was drawing near. Swimmers and spectators alike were looking at the athletes in the pool, waving and cheering them on. Behind the diving blocks was a cluster of swimmers from 11 different teams, boys and girls sporting their schools’ caps and colors, waiting to swim their events. Among them, equipped with her friend’s phone, Springfield High School sophomore McKenzie Galloway was approaching anyone in sight, asking for a group photo.

When approached, most strangers only offered confused looks in response to her question. “Do you wanna take a group photo?” she repeated without fail.

If she was declined, she would wish them luck and go to the next group of strangers, raising her voice over the noise of swimmers splashing water into the air. Phone in hand, she would ask the question again until her offer was accepted. The willing victims of this odd approach all left with smiles.

While the majority of swimmers pass their time by listening to music, playing games, or doodling all over their friends, Galloway has adopted ulterior activities over her eight years of swimming. Galloway said, “I’ve learned through all my years of competing [that] I just gotta get out of my head.”

For Galloway, getting out of her head means socializing with other swimmers and putting herself out there, through means of group photography or simply conversing with the swimmers around her, no matter the team. She said, “I just like to do things that get my mind off racing. If people see me having a good time, what’s wrong with that?”

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As just a freshman, Galloway placed first in 5A districts for the 100-yard breaststroke and second in the 500-yard freestyle. “It was a reality check,” said Galloway. “During that swim, it really made me think back on my training, and how much training I’ve done to get there.”

Placing second in one of her strongest events made her realize that she will not always come out on top, and that her best will not be the same as her competitors’. Taking this realization to state, she proudly won third place in the 500-freestyle and fifth place in the 100-breaststroke for Springfield High School.

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Galloway started swimming at age 9, and in July of 2015, she launched herself into the world of competitive swimming. Clad with a bright purple and yellow floral suit, and a Willamalane Swim Club cap, Galloway felt the cold air sinking into her skin as she climbed atop the block. Nerves wracked her body as she stood there, waiting to dive into the pool, and all that could cross her mind was “what can I lose?”

“The first event I ever swam was the 50 Breaststroke. I dove in and my goggles fell off. I lost my goggles and choked on water,” said Galloway, “but I finished it.”

Trudging past her first competition, Galloway strived to become better, both inside the pool and out. “Swimming has taught me to be patient with myself,” said Galloway.

Galloway went on to say that the patience she has learned through swim has helped her accomplish her academic goals and cope with home life. “It’s helped me figure out what is best for me, and that it will come if I’ve been training,” she said.

With patience and a strong grip on her goals, Galloway has been able to find a healthy balance between work and play, but it wasn’t always like this. Starting her competitive swimming career in elementary school, Galloway often overlooked her academics. “I never liked reading, and my reading score was a couple grades below where I was,” said Galloway. “For that year, my parents ended up having to pull me out of swimming because I just refused to read.”

This was an eye-opening lesson for Galloway. Her love for swimming motivated her to boost her grades quickly in order to continue the sport. Since then, Galloway has been adamant about doing her best in school, at home, and in the pool. Now in high school and reaching for nothing less than the highest marks, Galloway balances online classes with on-campus extracurriculars such as car care, woodshop, and choir while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

Swimming has had an immensely positive impact on Galloway’s life, and she wishes to inspire that same passion, dedication, and motivation within the newer and younger members of the swim club and high school team.

“I want to be a motivator for younger kids to swim because I needed it when I was younger. So just imagine how many more kids I can help motivate to keep swimming and how bright their future will be,” Galloway said.

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Galloway has been able to learn from herself, and from others, the importance of patience, leadership, and dedication through her love of swimming. From losing her goggles during her first race to swimming in state competitions, the ups and downs have forged and molded Galloway into a strong individual. Through her personal experiences, failures, and successes, she aspires to motivate people around her, while reaching new lengths of self-improvement.