Gettysburg鈥檚 Zach Tipton swims to success
GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Gettysburg High School (GHS) Warrior senior and YWCA Shark swim team member, Zachary Tipton, 鈥渓oves the feeling of accomplishment, whether it is winning, setting a record, or finishing the longest and hardest race,鈥� when competing in the pool. The 18-year-old has been competing for 13 years, focusing on the breaststroke, and hopes, 鈥淚 have always dreamt of accomplishing the best in my sport and to me, the best is doing as good as I can and landing among the previous talented athletes and their legacies.鈥�
After graduation, Zach announced, 鈥淚 am thrilled to announce my commitment to join the Shoremen flock at Washington College. The team has made me feel incredibly welcome and motivated me to push past my goals for the next four years.鈥�
Before a race, Zach reminds himself, 鈥淚 have been practicing for years for this and to take big deep breaths to relax.鈥� GHS head coach Amanda Turner provided the best advice, 鈥淧ush yourself, it will not kill you, but it is not easy.鈥� Coach Turner鈥檚 advice closely aligns with Zach鈥檚 feelings regarding swimming, mistakes and continued improvement, 鈥淪ometimes, I get tired and feel like it is easier to just let it happen without trying too hard. It feels far more rewarding to push yourself the most you can and complete the race and do good rather than post a poor time.鈥�
Zach commented that personally, 鈥渟wimming is all mental. I have the physical strength and training, but pushing yourself to keep going and force your muscles to keep moving is the toughest part of any race.鈥� After a meet, 鈥淚 love the feeling of accomplishment鈥攚hether it is winning, setting a record, or finishing the longest and hardest race.鈥�
The GHS Warriors do not have a pool on their campus but work locally with the Gettysburg YWCA, Gettysburg College and Keystone Aquatics in Carlisle, PA. Meets are held cooperatively with the college. Being part of the school鈥檚 and Y teams, has taught Zach, 鈥減lenty of leadership skills and how best to work with others to make an experience the best for everyone.鈥�
When not swimming, Zach enjoys hanging out with his friends and working. Reflecting on his time spent in and around the pool, Zach added, 鈥淪wimming has been the biggest part of my life for thirteen years now and I can attribute most of my close friends and favorite memories to the experiences I associate with swimming and the people.鈥�
We wish Zach continued success in and out of the pool at Washington College and beyond!
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