To many of us, swimming is very simple: it’s something we look forward to doing at the beach with our friends, or at a family barbeque with cousins. However, swimming is not just a fun pastime to Oak Park High School junior Pablo Ingrum.
Ingrum swims competitively both at OPHS and outside on his club team. The high school swim season began on March 6.
“Now that I am turning my full focus to the high school season I am definitely excited,” Ingrum said. “The Speedo Sectional Meet will qualify me for CIF States, if I go the same time or faster at CIF. This is really exciting since it has always been my goal to be the first Oak Park swimmer to go to states.”
Ingrum dedicates a lot of time to his swimming career.
“The amount of time and effort that goes into the smallest improvement is severely underestimated,” Ingrum said. “You have to swim every single day, often twice a day, as well as many strength workouts, recovery and sleep. Spending 20-30 hours a week on all of these things and then improving by less than a second is challenging, but it is the only way to improve.”
One of the most overlooked parts is the mental aspect of it. The sport is physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting, leaving only the most disciplined athletes to improve, while others might fall behind.
“My goals are definitely a big motivator, but also my teammates,” Ingrum said. “If we see each other slacking off we call each other out and keep each other accountable. It’s great to be able to race them and train with them. Remembering why I am doing this also helps get me through hard practices.”
While swimming may seem like an individual sport to most, Ingrum emphasizes that the team aspect of it plays a huge role in his success. Accountability, competition and a shared ambition push him to show up and be better than before.
For every athlete, competitions are a huge part, this is no different for swimmers. Ingrum is constantly at battle with himself, perfection is something he strives for. At practice he drills tirelessly, so when it comes to competitions he knows he can trust himself.
“There’s always some nerves before any race, but before the best ones I feel confident,” Ingrum said. “I can truly trust myself that I will perform well. For me this comes from giving it my all every day in practice and always working hard. I train daily for the race so that when I dive in, my brain can turn off and I just do what I have done thousands of times before.”
His confidence before races reflects the dedication and preparation he puts in throughout the season.
“At the end of the season I hope to win the Ventura County Championships, Leagues, and CIF, go to states, and set new meet records at VC champs and leagues as well as Oak Park records,” Ingrum said. “I also hope to compete with my team and win all of those meets with our relay.”
Overall, Ingrum is excited for what the future holds, and continues to aim high.
“I am going for some big time drops this year as well as my goal of being undefeated until States,” Ingrum said “Setting them now at the start of the season is scary, but over the next two months I will work hard to make them more and more achievable.”
