Athletes are expected to juggle intense training, school work, and busy schedules, not to mention the countless other demands of being a teenager. Every day presents its own set of challenges for student-athletes.
Junior Lola Fuentes-Darling, a swimmer on the B-CC High School team, has been swimming for the majority of her life. Fuentes-Darling has been in the water since she was four years old and has loved it ever since. She has always felt a special connection to the sport because her dad earned a scholarship to compete at Northern Illinois University.
With many role models in her life, she has been able to succeed and is familiar with the work required to compete at a high level. For B-CC, she typically competes in the fifty freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 50 butterfly. After years of developing a routine, she has found the best way to balance her school work and the sport she loves.
Fuentes-Darling stresses, “a good night’s sleep can make or break a race.” Every part of her routine is intentional and helps her compete at her best. The moment she wakes up, she starts hydrating, which she mentions is crucial for her performance. Her breakfast usually consists of oatmeal topped with fruit and nuts. She finds that this breakfast leaves her feeling full and energized to race. Fuentes-Darling shared, “On the drive to the meet, I blast my hype playlist, usually Pitbull or Eminem, to get in the zone.” She never skips a thorough warmup; she states, “It helps me get my blood pumping and adrenaline flowing.” After a long morning, the swim team will occasionally go for lunch, but either way, Fuentes-Darling makes sure to refuel and recover to prepare for what’s ahead.
