For The Tribune

Cherish Bryant says one of the things she likes about swimming at Seymour High School is the variety of events she is able to swim.

“It kind of gets boring if you swim the same thing every single time,” she said.

“I swam IM (individual medley) in sectionals my sophomore year and I was alternate for that last year, so that is pretty much my main event. I like the free just because it is the easiest.”

Bryant said she also enjoys the relays.

“I would usually swim the medley and the 200 free,” Bryant said. “In the medley I usually swim the fly or breast. Swimming the medley relay is a nice little warm up.”

She said she works on different things in preparation for the meet that day.

“I just like to get myself pumped up and ready to swim,” she said. “I like the middle lanes (at home) because lanes five and six are pretty deep, and lanes one and two are shallow. (Lanes three or four) are usually where I swim in practice so I’m more comfortable swimming there.

“You’re used to the pool. You know the walls better, the blocks, the flags, everything.”

Since the IM consists of backstroke, breast stroke, butterfly and free style, Bryant likes to work on her turns.

The senior said she began swimming in sixth grade with the Seymour age group team.

In season, Bryant likes the big meets like the Seymour ‘S’ Invite, conference and sectional.

“I like the invitational on the weekends,” Bryant said. “The sectional (trials) are terrible because we don’t get back until late. I like big meets like that are on the weekends.”

Bryant said she has gotten used to the 6 a.m. practices, but said it still takes a lot of dedication.

“I wouldn’t say it is adjusting anymore because I’ve been doing them for so many years, but they definitely stink because I have to get up at 5 a.m. to get across town and get here and ready by 6,” she said. “I like the mornings just because it gets it out of the way.”

She enjoys her teammates.

“I think my favorite thing about swimming is the people,” Bryant said. “I have a lot of friends that are on the swim team now, and have been in the past. I like spending time with them and doing the meets with them and all that.”

Bryant said mental preparation is key in swimming.

“Getting yourself up is a really important part,” she said. “I try to listen to music and stuff to get all ready to go. I have poor vision so I really can’t see the person next to me most of the time, especially in a darker pool, so it’s about self-motivation for me. The taper is great.”

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Name: Cherish Bryant

School: Seymour High School

Parents: Jacqueline Bryant, Brandon Bryant

Siblings: Bryce, Allison

Sports: swimming 4 years

Organizations: National Honor Society, D.A.R.E.

Plans after high school: attend college

Favorite food: cheesecake

Favorite musician Borns

Favorite movie: Grand Budapest Hotel

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