SPLASH SPLASH

One after the other the swimmers dive into the water and the grind of practices in 115-degree heat, with undoubtedly warm water and scolding hot pool decking begins, but don’t be fooled there is a purpose for this monstrous effort.

Junior Tommy Hinks is settling back into the start of the swim season and getting ready to make another appearance at the state tournament which means countless hours of these difficult practices.

This may seem dreadful to most but haven’t you heard: hard work pays off.

“I would like more swimmers to be like Tommy,” Swim Coach Cameron Licht said, “Good at everything, picks things up quickly, and is quiet and not a troublemaker.”

Hinks is seemingly good at everything and has been on varsity since freshman year while also having been swimming on his own since he was 3 or 4 years old.

Hinks said that being on varsity for 3 years has been really cool, but it’s not much different than club. 

Even though Hinks doesn’t think there is much of a difference, this may just show how prolific of a swimmer he is.

“Club swim is just the intense version of swim,” Licht said, “They take it a lot further and do things a lot more hardcore.”

Despite having to balance both school and club swimming Hinks has not become overwhelmed, in fact, it has made him an even better swimmer.

Senior Captain Claire Calkins said, “He has always been in the first or second heat chilling with the upperclassmen.”

The work ethic that Hinks has acquired over the years has certainly aided in all his success and growth as a swimmer.

Licht said Hinks puts in the work he needs to and “he fixes things if someone tells him to fix something.”

Last year’s practice paid off and Hinks made his first appearance at the state tournament along with 5 other swimmers.

“It’s pretty fun,” Hinks said about swimming at state last year where his relay was able to make finals.

However, Hinks hasn’t only grown as a swimmer he has also grown as a person throughout his time with swim.

Calkins said, “He definitely was quiet freshman year, but he has definitely grown into his own person and is not quiet anymore.”

While Hinks may not be quiet anymore he certainly seems to have become very personable and fun to be around. 

Senior Gavin Eager said, “He’s really fun to be around, is uplifting, and his hair is really gorgeous too.”

While Eager may be mystified how Hinks is able to fit his hair into his cap, what is for certain is that the swim team will continue to have both fun and, perhaps more importantly, success for the next two years. 

“He is a jack of all trades,” Licht said, “He can do everything at a high level, so he can be put into any race and he’s gonna do well.”

Whether he is a jack of all trades like Licht said, a goofball according to Calkins, or, like Eager believes, someone with just some gorgeous hair, Hinks has surely made quite the impression so far at Sunnyslope swim.