By Tyler J. Scott ’12
THE ROUNDUP

When most people jump into a pool it’s to cool off or relax.

Not Brophy swimmers. As soon as they hit the water it’s hard work from August to November.

Diego Valenzuela ’12 has been swimming ever since he was nine years old. His mother pushed him towards the sport because she too was a swimmer.

He has a lot of swimming experience but that doesn’t stop him from working hard each and every day of practice.

“I have to give 110 percent each and every practice. This is the only way in which I will be able to get better and it is key that I do not miss any practices as this can gradually bring down my swimming ability,” Valenzuela said.

Valenzuela said he works hard each practice to achieve a position on the state team in years to come.

As a freshman swimmer, Valenzuela was injured for the majority of the season. He snapped a tendon in his right hip while running sprints at practice and therefore could not work to improve in the pool. He said that his improvements came during his club season and have carried on ever since.
“I have become a better swimmer as my times have decreased steadily and it seems that I will be able to make the state team as a junior and senior,” Valenzuela said.

Valenzuela’s favorite race to swim at meets is the 100 Breaststroke. He said he believes that he has “the best chance of qualifying for state and in the preliminaries or finals meets in this event.”

When asked about how it feels to be part of the state champion Brophy swimming team, Valenzuela said, “It is a very humbling and amazing experience that has shown me the power of hard work, brotherhood and teamwork.  It also shows how lucky I am for being able to go to Brophy and being part of one of the best high school teams in the country.”