Becky Phillips ‘23 has been working hard in the pool since the girls varsity swim season began on Aug. 9. She spends day after day pushing herself to be a better swimmer taking the season one meet at a time. With her favorite swimming event being the 100 freestyle with a personal record of 54.39, she is always looking to grow as an athlete. While she is on the LT team, she spends her off-season training with the club Lyons Aquatic.

With less COVID-19 restrictions this school year, Phillips is allowed to be around other teammates again, Phillips said.

“I am excited to get to race at sectionals this year and hopefully get to race at state,” Phillips said.  

Phillips’ family is helping her achieve her goal of making it to state. 

“My parents are my biggest supporters and are always cheering me on,” Phillips said. “Another supporter is my brother, Chris Phillips, who swam at LT on the 2016 state team and is always someone I can talk about swimming with.” 

Another friend and teammate of Phillips is Ava Wright ‘23. Wright and Phillips have swum together since third grade and always support each other in meets and at practice, Wright said. Phillips maintains a positive attitude even during hard sets.

“I have always looked up to her work ethic and determination in the water and on land,” Wright said.

 Phillips has not only impacted Wright but also the rest of her team in a positive way, head girls varsity swim coach Scott Walker said. She brings a strong work ethic and the ability to go with the flow at every practice and meet. Phillips is someone the rest of the team can count on whether it be at practice or during meets.

 “She has a sense of calmness at practice and during meets she is a well balanced individual,” Walker said. 

Phillips has been swimming since she was 7 years old, but it means more to her than just racing and winning meets. 

 “There is a reason we call our LT pool the ‘sanctuary,’ and that is because it is a safe place surrounded by our friends and we are all experiencing something really cool together,” Phillips said.

Phillips is interested in pursuing swimming in college and has already reached out to a few schools. 

“I know I want to do a sport in college whether that be highly competitive swimming, or just for a club team in the area,” Phillips said.