Name: Will Clancy

Grade: 12

Sport: Swim and Dive

Years Swimming: 10

Why do you swim?

“I swim because of all of the things it has taught me, from time management to the dedication you have to have to get yourself to practice each day and sometimes twice a day. The sport has taught me so many valuable life lessons and helped me become a much more hardworking person.”

What has been the biggest inspiration in your swimming career?

“My biggest inspiration for swimming throughout my years has been my coaches. I always respect how much time they’ve put in, and they are always pushing me to try my hardest and give it my all in order to get the results that I want. I don’t think I would still be swimming if it weren’t for some of my coaches.”

What is your personal goal for this season? 

“This season I want to qualify for conference finals in both of my individual events, and I hope to have lifetime best times in those events as a good way to end my swimming career. I think the key to achieving this goal is to show up to each practice and do the best that I can do no matter how I feel. I have to be able to focus on even the slightest details because in a meet those could be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying for finals.”

Talk a little about your time being a part of FH boys swim and dive team, this year and previous years.

“Being a part of the Forest Hills swim and dive team has been a huge part of my high school career. I have created strong bonds with my teammates each year I’ve been a part of the team. It has been unique to have three schools on one team, so I have also met new teammates that go to Eastern or Northern. Each year the team dynamic has been vastly different, but it is always a great group of guys to see at 5:30 in the morning most days of the week. The kids on the team help to make each practice a little bit easier and more fun.”

What is the best part of swimming?

“The best part about swimming is when you complete a race; your body aches and you are out of breath, but you look at the board to see that you’ve gotten the best time, and you are filled with joy knowing that all of that hard work is paying off.”

What is it like being a captain?

“Being a captain of the team has been an exciting experience. I am able to lead the team and help the new kids figure out the ropes in a way much different than before. It’s been fun to help the new freshmen learn what high school swimming is all about and watch them start to feel comfortable and excited about racing and striving on their own.”