Just keep swimming: Sophomore Robert Wilson swims his way to success

BY ARIELLE KRAUS

It’s not often that you hear a high school student has made the time cut for the Junior Olympics at such a young age. However, this accomplishment is one of many for the sophomore swimmer Robert Wilson, who has dedicated countless hours to this sport and set himself up for success.

Wilson is not originally from Florida and did not spend his early years in the pool. Upon moving to Florida from Nevada at the age of seven, he became interested in the sport. At the age of 10, Wilson began spending many hours in the pool practicing.

“When I first started swimming, I only swam to stay in shape,” Wilson said. “I started to enjoy it more when I did well at a competition and made my first Junior Olympic time cut.”

“Once I began to swim, I spent a lot of time in the pool. I originally only went four days a week, for one hour each day,” Wilson said. “It then jumped to five to six days a week, for two hours a day. Now I swim seven times a week, for a little over two hours a day.”

Swimming began as a hobby for Wilson before it became his passion. Many hours spent in the pool and the influence of friends eventually encouraged Wilson to join a swim team. At first, he was not enthusiastic about swimming as a sport, but later began to enjoy it. He now is on the CCHS swim team and a club team known as SOFLO.

“When I first started swimming, I only swam to stay in shape,” Wilson said. “I started to enjoy it more when I did well at a competition and made my first Junior Olympic time cut.”

The inspiration to swim came from Wilson’s best friend, Michael Cline. Currently, they compete in the sport together. Both individuals take pride in swimming and enjoy learning from each other. Competing against one another makes the experience an unforgettable one.

“I would like to swim in college, hopefully for the University of Florida, but I don’t plan on swimming after that,” Wilson said. “I don’t plan to continue because swimming does not pay all that well.”

“When [Wilson] first began to swim, he was not very good, but he was determined and eventually got fast enough to be where he’s at today,” Cline said. “It’s always fun competing with him because it is always entertaining to see who can swim faster whenever we race in an event.”

Wilson has made it to states during both his freshman and sophomore years at CCHS. His fastest 100 freestyle time was 47.20 seconds in the short course. His greatest swimming accomplishment was placing first in the Junior Olympics in the 50 and 100 freestyle.

The rush that Wilson gets from swimming is like no other. Each week, he spends countless hours in the pool preparing to compete at both state and local competitions.

“The competitions are the best part of swimming,” Wilson said. “All the training that is put in finally gets put to use.”

In the future, Wilson is not considering swimming as a career choice, but wishes to continue competing throughout high school and college. He plans to major in computer science or business while in college.

“I would like to swim in college, hopefully for the University of Florida, but I don’t plan on swimming after that,” Wilson said. “I don’t plan to continue because swimming does not pay all that well.”

“Swimming is very important to me,” Wilson said. “I have put so much time and effort into the training.”

When not in the pool, Wilson focuses on robotics, basketball and academics. Currently, he challenges himself with classes such as AP World History, AP Computer Science Principles and DECA. Wilson is interested in DECA as he is considering a career in the field of business. He used to play on a basketball team, but does not anymore.

“I’ve known [Wilson] since third grade,” sophomore Adam Hartmann said. “When we played basketball together for two years, he was always dedicated to both sports. He would go straight from swimming to basketball three times a week. He was always a good athlete, but as we got older he improved.”

Balancing school alongside swimming isn’t a challenge for Wilson. He often works before or after practice to ensure that his assignments are completed on time and that he is prepared for class the next day.

“I try to stay organized,” Wilson said. “I make sure to get my work done a little early in order to keep up.”

Wilson’s passion for swim started at a young age and continues to this day. His hard work and dedication pay off each time he enters the pool.

“Swimming is very important to me,” Wilson said. “I have put so much time and effort into the training.”

Photo courtesy of Robert Wilson