For The Tribune
When Levi Pfaffenberger shows up at a swim pool, he knows he only has so much time to prepare physically and mentally for that meet.
The reason his time is limited is because he is going to be swimming in the first event — the medley relay.
He will then swim the freestyle, which is the fourth stroke.
“I like being anchor in that event,” he said, and looks forward to competing later this week in the Floyd Central Sectional.
“For swimming, mentally is definitely 70 percent of it. If you go into an event knowing that you are going to do well, you’re probably going to do well. If you think you’re not going to do well, you’re probably not going to do well.
“You should always have a positive attitude about it. Always do your best. Swimming has made me more outdoing, I guess. It made me feel more confident about myself.”
He swam sprint freestyles his sophomore year, then added butterfly his junior year, and this winter he continued freestyle and butterfly through most of this season.
Prior to the home meet with Providence, Pfaffenberger was asked by coach Dave Boggs if he would like to swim breaststroke, and he said he would.
“It was my second time swimming breaststroke, and I got a pretty good time, so now I’m going to swim it at sectionals,” Pfaffenberger said. “I was hoping just to beat 1:13, and I got 1:09.
“I had never practiced breaststroke until last week. (Teammate Noah Bullard) has definitely worked with me.”
Pfaffenberger will also swim the 100 free at sectional where his best time has been 53.13.
He said he joined the swim team at the beginning of his sophomore year.
“Some of my friends urged me to start swimming,” Pfaffenberger said. “After that I started to enjoy it and kept on through my senior year.”
The swim team has early-morning practices three times a week during the season.
“It took me a while to get used to that, but once you get used it it’s almost natural to get up early,” he said. “We lift weights on Wednesdays. We do P90X and dry (exercises on deck) on Mondays. Everything is in the pool on Fridays.
“Lately (in practices) it just been trying to improve your strokes and turns, every fine detail, but during the middle of the season it’s more about conditioning and getting everybody to improve.”
Pfaffenberger said it was an interesting experience swimming in the outdoor meet in the summer at the Shields Park pool.
“When your swimming long course (50 yards) it seems like the pool never ends,” he said.
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Parents: Michael Pfaffenberger, Kelly Baurle
Siblings: Kyle, Hank
Sports: swimming 3 years
Athletic highlights: two time most improved
Organizations: Future farmers of America, band
Plans after high school: attend Purdue University
Favorite food: steak
Favorite TV show: Seinfeld
Favorite team: Minnesota Vikings
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Q: Do you enjoy attending SHS?
A: “I like it here. I’m going to miss it. I’m in two AP courses and in some dual-credit courses too, so it’s nice to have those for college credits. They make it really easy for you to be in different things at different times. I’ll remember all my experiences in band. I’ll miss my swimming and all the FFA stuff I’ve done, and my friends. It’s been a great career. It will be different at college.”
Q: What’s it like swimming at your home pool?
A: “I love every meet at the Seymour pool. That’s my favorite pool. I like Floyd the best (favorite away pool). It’s a fast pool. I like the outside lanes.”
Q: What’s it like having a brother on the team?
A: “Sometimes we talk about swimming at home. (Kyle) likes to watch videos on Youtube on the Olympics and stuff. He always talks about wanting to drop a lot of time.”
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