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500 Free Is A Big Test Of Stamina

Sports

Written by David Wolman

Wednesday, 14 January 2009 09:00

Michael Del Valle leaned back, his face hovering above the water and looking to the ceiling inside the natatorium at Blue Valley West High School, to catch a breath of air after completing an exhausting run in the 500-yard freestyle Thursday. The Osawatomie-Paola swimmer finished sixth in a time of 6 minutes, 54.47 seconds. David Wolman

Nathan Laudan and Austin Johnson also competed in the event. Laudan was fifth in 6:46.55. Johnson placed eighth in 7:40.25.

The 500 freestyle should be considered the ironman of all high school swimming events, at least in the state of Kansas. It is a grueling 5- to 8-minute test of stamina, strength, focus and a motor that tells you to keep going when your mind tells you to stop. Your arms propel you through the water, stroke after stroke. The only way you know how far you’ve swam is through the help of your teammates, who hold a plastic board with numbers showing how far you have swam against the wall of the pool. When a pair of bright orange stickers are seen, it means the swimmer is in their final lap.

I’m exhausted just thinking about it. I’m not in the best of shape — although I do work out three times per week — and I know I would finish half the race before I would call it quits.

Del Valle, Laudan and Johnson have been committed to swimming the 500 freestyle, and this is an event that can help a team gain a large chunk of points when it comes to the team standings. The first time Osawatomie-Paola competed at Blue Valley West on Dec. 9, Del Valle placed sixth, eighth and ninth, but combined to earn 33 points. That nearly equates to the amount of points earned for a second- and first-place finishes, combined, in other events.

After witnessing, first-hand, how challenging the event is, it earned my respect. It’s a true test of endurance, and I know that I want to get in shape. That’s one good way to do it.

Don’t forget, the Osawatomie-Paola swim team will host its second of four meets on the season at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Miami County Family YMCA. Best of all, admission is free.

If you see any 500 freestyle swimmers needing that extra boost to get to the finish line — as well as swimmers in other events — let’s cheer them on to victory.

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