The Knight of the Week this week is sophomore Edward Rimas. He is a member of varsity swim and dive and placed in all of the first three meets of the year.
Q: What motivated you to start swimming?
A: When my mom signed me up for my first ever lesson when I was four, I got really interested in it. I kept going along with the progression practices and I found a liking to it.
Q: What is your favorite race to swim and why?
A: 100-meter backstroke. It’s always stuck with me, and I’ve had some mental issues with it in the past, but now I’m finding my movement with it, and it’s really motivating me to keep on dropping time for that event.
Q: What is your favorite part of swim and dive?
A: Being a part of Prospect’s swim and dive team, I feel like we’re all one big family. Pasta parties are a huge bonus. They’re really fun, really connecting all the team, and practices are really fun, too. We have big chants that we normally do before meets and after meets, and we say ‘good meet’ to whoever we go against. It feels like we all come together as one, and it’s really warm-hearted.
Q: Are there any particular teammates of yours that stand out as leaders or mentors?
A: Last year as a freshman, I had this one senior, Alex Verdet, who drove me around everywhere, drove me to all the morning practices, and really helped develop me and welcome me into the group of seniors. It made me feel like I was appreciated.
Q: How is competing as a part of Prospect different from competing on your club team?
A: Being on my club team, because it’s pretty far away, it’s a whole different friend group there and it’s a whole different community there. Here on the Prospect team, I feel like I’m at home. I always have people I know because we’re all enrolled in the same things and it’s just more connection.
Q: Are there any coaches that have particularly left an impression on you?
A: Coach Lopez has impacted me probably the most. As a freshman on varsity last year, I feel like he really helped me develop to where, it’s okay if I don’t get it one time at a meet. I’ll get it at the next meet. He’s a great motivator.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
A: It was probably getting my head in the game every week. I always feel great during practices, but when it comes to meets, physically and mentally, I kind of feel ill or not to my full potential. Overcoming it, I say to myself, ‘just get in and go. Put your foot on the gas and go.’ It’s a saying that my old coach from FMC Aquatics said to me, and it’s stuck with me.
Q: What are you looking forward to as you continue with this team?
A: Mostly I’m looking forward to senior year because I am able to become a captain if I get chosen. I also feel like that will be when I fully reach my maximum physical potential and do my best.
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