Everyone has a passion for something, and for senior Dylan Ingram, that passion is swimming. Ingram has been swimming since he was 12 years old, after his parents recommended he try the sport.

“Over the years swimming has basically become my life,” Ingram said. “It’s a routine I have been doing everyday for the past six years. It’s basically who I am, and that’s why I love it.”

For the past two years, Ingram has taken the title as the boys’ captain, which comes with a lot of responsibility.

“Sometimes I don’t really feel like I deserve it,” Ingram said. “But it’s sort of an obligation that the other captain (senior Natalie Saul) and I have that caused our teammates to feel that we lead the team and take care of each other.”

However, swimming is something Ingram also does outside of school as a member of a club team. He spends about 15 hours a week in the water.

“Club swimming has really helped me as an individual and as a swimmer,” Ingram said. “It’s like an extra family outside of school. I’ve been on many summer league and club teams, and they are all amazing. It gives me another opportunity to practice and become a better swimmer.”

Despite having a natural talent for the sport, Ingram knows he could not have gotten this far alone.

“The people on my team are the ones that have helped me get this far,” Ingram said. My high school team is another family away from home, and my teammates have helped me grow as a person and as a swimmer, by pushing me to be the best I can be.”

Because of Ingram’s ability in the pool, he receives respect from within the swim community, and from other students and family, as well.

“I feel like Dylan’s swim ability is unbelievable,” Dylan’s brother, junior Zach Ingram, said. “He always works hard and doesn’t complain. He’s someone I can always look up to. It’s inspiring to see someone’s passion, especially his.”

Like other great athletes, Ingram ties his individual success to goals he sets for himself, both in school and after graduation.
“I would like to at least qualify for state,” Ingram said. “It’s been one of my goals all four years, to qualify for the state meet. Outside of high school, one of my biggest goals is to swim in college.”

Ingram has to keep a positive outlook and keeps a couple things in mind so he can continue achieving success. He does this even when the going gets tough.

“It’s something every swimmer gets in their heads,” Ingram said. “No matter what day of the week, no matter what time it is, swimming is always going to be tiring because it’s a full body workout. It’s something your body can get used to but you can’t let it. You have to keep pushing yourself mentally and physically. What matters at the end of the day is those who can push through it.”