Sun/Rotary POY Lines helps Gila Ridge establish tradition

Most high school seniors have enough to worry about. For Yuma Sun/Yuma Rotary Club 2012 Boys Swimming Player of the Year Weston Lines, swimming is just one more thing to throw on the pile.

Like most senior athletes, the realization that this is his last year to make an impact on Gila Ridge meant a lot to Lines. Among the accomplishments was breaking the regional the 100-yard butterfly record.

More importantly to Lines, he helped start traditions that will keep the Hawks swimming program flourishing for years to come.

“The team was barely starting out and it was a young team, so making the traditions now is what is important for the future swim teams at Gila Ridge,” Lines said. “That's what my senior friends and I have been focusing on this year — making the traditions and letting the younger swimmers know that this is what we do, we're the Gila Ridge Hawks.”

Gila Ridge head coach Heather LaVin saw Lines and the other seniors bring a lot to the table where leadership was concerned.

“He was very focused this year,” LaVin said. “He really knew what he wanted to do this year, and he really wanted to make his senior year count. What I love about him is sometimes he'll put a little twist on the workout to make it something even more for him, and we'll work together on that. It shows me he's willing to go above and beyond the extra mile to achieve what he wants.”

Lines was disappointed by his showing at state, finishing 12th in the 100-yard butterfly and not qualifying for the finals in the 100-yard freestyle, but has no regrets about competing in the back-to-back events.

“It was a learning experience. Because I couldn't do it then, I'm making it a goal now to train myself to make it possible for myself to do it again. I don't regret swimming two events back to back because Olympic swimmers do it all the time. It's not an excuse for them, and I don't want it to be an excuse for me.”

Now that the high school swimming season is over, Lines isn't sure where the time went.

“It went by way too fast. I started thinking, ‘Wow, this is my senior year,' and it was over before I knew it. The decisions that you have to make after high school are on the horizon. You have to prepare now.

“I had that attitude all swim season. Swimming helps me have an even greater focus. I think swimming's helping me plan my future better, and I'm definitely going to involve swimming in my future.”

Lines is looking at Brigham Young University and has specific times he'd like to reach with the Yuma Heat Swim Club to get college coaches' attention.

For LaVin, like any high school coach, it's bittersweet to see the seniors leave.

“I've been coaching them since they were sophomores. I will definitely miss Weston and all the seniors we had this year. They were a great group of kids. They have a contagious spirit about them that helped the team have fun, and it really excited the new swimmers that haven't been with us before or were freshmen.”

As for Lines, he'll keep on working in the pool and try to enjoy being a senior while he still can.