Luke started swimming with a therapist when he was about 3 years old. The goal was to develop core strength, but through those sessions, Luke gained a love of the water. When he was 5, Luke started swim lessons to learn the basics. When he was about 8 years old, his family signed him up for the Dolphins swim team. They hired a peer tutor to be in the water with Luke to repeat directions and provide support. (Mom says Luke loved to be under the water, so he would miss all of the instructions) He did that for 2 or 3 years, then he was swimming alongside the rest of the swimmers.
Luke was on the varsity swim team for 4 years and lettered the last 3 years. Most of the time, he would be the last in his heat – but every now and then he would out-touch some of the other swimmers. At his last high school meet, he got 2nd in his heat!! He has also been swimming with the local Special Olympics team and has earned 21 medals.
His mom says that “Swimming competitively has helped Luke in many ways. It has taught him that it feels good to be in shape and that some things are worth the effort. He has learned to be a good sport in victory and in defeat. Luke’s coaches taught him that details matter, and his teammates taught him to celebrate the success of others. Luke is looking forward to the day when he can help others learn to swim.”
His passion for swimming has given him a dream. Luke wants to become a swim coach and open “Luke’s Lessons”. He really enjoys helping young kids learn to swim and his mom says that “Luke looks for people who need encouragement or assistance.” I think this will take him far in his dream career…don’t you?! For now, he is taking classes at Saginaw Valley State University where his is living the college dream, hanging with friends, and playing in the Marching Band. He was asked to come help coach a local middle school swim team also, and I have no doubt he will someday be coaching his own students!!
Keep on rockin’ it Luke!