Coach,

Transferring to a new school district can be enough stress on a person, but when they transfer because of bullying it is even worse. I did not expect much from my new school and I did not expect to every be one of the "athletes." Joining the summer swim team was a joke at first, I guess I half figured it was just something to do to make the summer feel a little less lonely since I knew no one in my new neighborhood.

While it was slightly embarrassing to not be allowed to actually swim because my form was so bad, so I had to fake swim on the concrete, I found happiness at practice. For the first time in a long time I felt safe. Certainly no one expected greatness from the land-swimmer--not even myself-- and at first they were right. As the season progressed I did get better but I was never "good." Despite my long lived fear of never being good enough I still could not wait to start my next season. '

When I was told that the high school swim coach would be our new summer swim coach for the next season I was both saddened and excited. I couldn't wait for the chance to be noticed by the high school coach and maybe even have a chance to swim in high school when the time came. I was nervous of the intense workouts that I knew were bound to happen but I anxiously awaited the challenge.

The first season I had you was the first season that I truly felt like I was an athlete. I felt pushed, I felt respected, and I felt valued. You were never scared to tell me I wasn't the best and that pushed me to prove you wrong. Everyday I challenged myself to be better than the day before and each day you recognized that.

From loss after loss you never gave up on me, and eventually all that determination that you had paid off. Soon I was no longer placing last, I was placing fifth and then fourth, and then third. I kept advancing in my abilities and with each place that I climbed my confidence doubled. Soon I was asked to swim up when ever we were down a swimmer in the 14-15 age group and then that turned into the 15-18 age group.

You turned the land swimmer into a meet winner and you turned the land swimmer into an age group 'highest point scorer.'

As high school dawned upon us I was thrilled to be asked to swim. I just could not believe how far I had come; from the land-swimmer to the high school one, it seemed all too surreal.

While we never had the most mature or the most ideal relationship I want to thank you for the time and effort you put into me. I was always a self-serving jerk who was always a little too entitled and I let that get the best of me. Thank you though for turning the land-swimmer into a high school sectional swimmer my junior year. Thank you for turning the land-swimmer into a gold medalist. And thank you for turning the land-swimmer into a high school top two time holder.

You never had the coaching style I liked but you had and have the coaching style that I, and any others, need.

It was the most disheartening choice of my life to quit the team, and honestly I am the biggest loser for doing it. I gave up the sport that I loved and that I truly had potential in just because of my arrogance and my "frustration" with your coaching style. If I could go back and change it I would.

I guess I just want to take them time and emphasis how truly sorry I am.

I gave up on you, the one who NEVER gave up on me.

Keep swimming yah uglies.