Q&A with Columbine HS record-breaking swimmer Rachel Ballard
LITTLETON, Colo. — Rachel Ballard is a junior and a swimmer at Columbine High School. We were privileged to interview her and get to know more about her and the camaraderie on the swim team.
What sports do you play at Columbine?
Rachel Ballard: I鈥檓 proud to be a part of the swim team.
Tell me a little about yourself and your family.
Ballard: I am the eldest sibling in our family of four, and my little brother Brayden is 12. Outside of the pool, I am a member of the National Honor Society and love to do service projects around the community. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and regularly attend church. I love to be outdoors doing activities like boating, hiking, wake surfing, and walking our dog Roxie. I enjoy spending time with friends, learning new languages, and 4-wheeling.
What are some highlights from your swimming season this year?
Ballard: I am the current Columbine record holder in the 200 freestyle and the 200 individual medley, as well as being lucky enough to be a part of 3 record-breaking relays: the 4×100 freestyle relay, the 4×50 medley relay, and the 4×50 freestyle relay. This season, the Columbine swim team was able to win the Angel Invitational for the 3rd year in a row!! Valor Christian High School was very close to beating us, but the team really pulled through and everyone swam their best, leading to another win for Columbine.
What do you like best about your team?
Ballard: It鈥檚 hard to pick one thing that I like best about the team, but I really love the inclusivity that we have. Everyone knows each other and everyone cheers for each other. It鈥檚 amazing to watch and be a part of the team, especially when we get really hyped up. The energy we bring to the pool is unlike any other team I鈥檝e seen. We really embody the 鈥渁ll for one and one for all鈥� attitude.
What leadership do you provide for the other swimmers?
Ballard: We have a lot of new swimmers on the team and it鈥檚 been really fun to watch them improve. I鈥檝e been swimming for just over 12 years and so helping out some girls that are newer to swimming or want help with their technique has been a blast. I鈥檝e also had the opportunity to teach the freshman and the new swimmers the Columbine cheers and teach them what it means to be a rebel and how we can bring the rebel way into the pool.
What are some of the life lessons you’ve learned from swimming or sports in general?
Ballard: I鈥檝e learned a lot from swimming, especially in these past few years. Because of Covid-19, both the high school swim season and my club team鈥檚 season were compromised. As a result, it took some time to get back where I needed to be and to be able to continue dropping time in my races. This has taught me patience. I鈥檓 often pretty hard on myself after a bad race and so learning to give myself time and have patience with swimming has been a huge blessing. Learning to have patience in the pool has allowed me to have patience in other aspects of my life outside of the pool.
What piece of advice would you give for new members of the team?
Ballard: The advice I would give to new swimmers or new members of the team would be to be a part of the team and have fun! At Columbine, being a part of this team means being a part of a family. There鈥檚 nothing quite like screaming out our Rebel cheer or the whole team cheering on a teammate. Participating in this team guarantees a good time and long-lasting friendships.
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