Natalia Banos is a tremendous student-athlete that is a shining example of commitment, consistency and open communication. She is an exceptional student, loves swimming and is always smiling. Her recent success is heart-filled, impactful and most of all inspiring for athletes. So sit back, relax and hear the powerful words of a swimmers dream!!!
“I did not know what to expect going into this experience. I traveled to the Philippines to proudly represent my country in the 42nd South East Asian Age Group Championships and without knowing it, they soon became my family.
I have been swimming for 13 years now and I have learned that the sport is pretty straight forward and repetitive to an extent however this experience proved otherwise. To begin, I was put in a very vulnerable situation on the team where I did not know anyone which instilled some fear in me. As I practiced more with my new team before the competition, I bonded with many of them through our love/ hate relationship with swimming and learning more about their culture and lifestyle. By the time of the competition, I was able to call many of them close friends and even a new family which was the first major difference of this experience because I have never seen such warm hearted and welcoming kids.
Another difference was that this swim meet was unlike another swim meet. There was a professional atmosphere and all around, you would hear different languages from several different countries. For me, swimming became a team sport at this swim meet. The entire team would cheer for our teammates. That support behind the starting blocks comforts you as the nerves are running high before a race. When I was behind the blocks I felt that team support as they were yelling my name and country. My heart was racing and the adrenaline was pumping and at that point I realized that I was swimming for something bigger than myself. This competition was not seeing what you can swim for yourself but also for your country. It’s a great feeling having the flag of your country on the competition gear because it humbles me and allows me to reflect on how I got to that point of my life.In the end, I swam two events, the 100 meter butterfly and 200 meter butterfly (both brutally painful events). I stayed close to my PR’s by doing a 1:05.75 and 2:26.35 and I am pretty proud of those swims despite not feeling my best. I knew that I gave it my all in the pool and swam my hardest for my teammates. Swimming for the Philippines in the South East Asian Age Group Championships was one of the best experiences of my life because of the family, memories and understanding of other cultures gained from a sport that I love.”
Natalia Banos
