Sydney Godfrey is aware of she's at her greatest as a swimmer when she is relaxed.
So earlier than the Williamston freshman swam her first 500 freestyle of the season final week at Charlotte, she had a teammate take a photograph of her asking AI how one can swim the five hundred freestyle.
After senior Brooke Peterson snapped that picture, Godfrey proceeded to go on and win the occasion, setting a pool report within the course of with a time of 5:20.53. That point was the quickest within the CAAC this season and ranked third within the state amongst all Division 3 swimmers.
"I carry out means higher once I don't have stress and don’t take into consideration (my race) that a lot as a result of I'm an overthinker," Godfrey stated. "After I don't take into consideration one thing or I’ve enjoyable or I joke with my pals subsequent to me, I swim sooner. I carry out higher."
Godfrey, who was voted the LSJ ladies highschool athlete of the week, has carried out effectively in her debut season on varsity for Williamston. She is on the Hornets' 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays that personal the quickest occasions in Larger Lansing this fall.
Godfrey entered Oct. 5 with the quickest time within the space within the 500 freestyle and ranked second behind teammate n within the 200 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke.
The success this fall for Godfrey has constructed on a powerful summer season the place she gained the 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke within the 13-14 age group at a state membership swim meet.
And figuring out of that success, Williamston swim coach Madi Stewart knew Godfrey could be a standout for her program. She has been impressed with Godfrey's drive within the pool.
"I believe her total willpower (contributes to her success)," Stewart stated. "She is at all times asking for extra. We had been doing a drill primarily based set (in apply) and he or she was like I simply wish to swim extra yards, I wish to get stronger.
"She's at all times hungry for extra."
That push for extra for Godfrey has her targeted on making an attempt to get some particular person information and proceed to develop as she pushes to finish the season as an all-state performer.
"I'd prefer to get a few particular person varsity information," Godfrey stated. "We've gotten the relays however I actually wish to get (some people) – particularly the 100 again varsity report. I don't know the way I'm going to do at state as a result of D3 has loads of actually good quick swimmers, particularly the seniors. I simply wish to set a few varsity information."
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Observe him on X @brian_calloway.
This text initially appeared on Lansing State Journal: g