BUFORD — In competitive swimming, the difference between a good performance and a great one is often measured in hundredths of a second.
For athletes on Buford High School’s swim and dive team, chasing those small improvements requires early mornings, relentless training and a mindset built around perseverance.
According to head coach Kali Dasher, success in the pool takes more than natural ability.
“One of the most important things swimmers must have is mental toughness,” Dasher said. “The amount of training required to reach elite times means athletes have to push themselves every day, both in and out of the water.”
Buford swimmers train six to seven days a week, often spending more than two hours per session in the pool. Practices include thousands of yards of swimming along with dry-land workouts designed to build strength and endurance.
Those sessions frequently begin before sunrise. By the time most students arrive at school, Buford swimmers have already completed a full practice and are preparing for a full academic day.
Several athletes have posted some of the team’s fastest times this season.
Senior Collier Johnson has been among the team’s top performers in the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke, while junior Stephan Sol has emerged as one of the program’s most versatile swimmers. Sol has led the team in multiple events this season, including the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly and the 200 individual medley.
Senior Joseph Guillory has also contributed strong performances in the 100 breaststroke.
On the girls side, senior Lila Kate Bush has posted top times in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly while also competing in the 100 freestyle. Sophomore Shelby Claire Drake has led the team in distance events such as the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle, while junior Bria Carter has recorded competitive times in the 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke.
The diving program has also added valuable points during meets with contributions from Bryson McKnight (9), Ryker Williams (11) and Gabriella Amidei (9).
Dasher said one of the biggest highlights of the season has been improvement across the entire roster.
“We had swimmers who were new to the sport or returning after years away, and they made tremendous progress,” she said.
Among those athletes were Embree Smith (9), Christian Oates (9), Emma Chinzorig (10) and Daniela Martis (10), each of whom showed significant development during the season.
Dasher said swimming is a sport where progress often comes slowly.
“Swimming teaches perseverance and resilience,” she said. “Athletes train for hours just to see a .01-second improvement. That kind of progress requires patience and dedication.”
Those lessons often extend beyond competition. With early morning practices, afternoon training sessions and weekend meets, swimmers must balance athletics with a full academic schedule.
“Swimmers learn how to manage their time and stay committed to their goals,” Dasher said.
Despite swimming often appearing to be an individual sport, Dasher said the Buford program emphasizes teamwork.
“I think one thing people don’t realize is how supportive swimmers are of each other,” she said. “Even though you’re racing the clock individually, the team is constantly encouraging one another during practices and meets.”
The physical demands can also surprise those unfamiliar with competitive swimming. The sport requires full-body strength, cardiovascular endurance and precise breathing while pushing through fatigue.
“It’s one of the most demanding sports physically,” Dasher said.
Despite the demanding schedule, the team continues to excel academically. About half of Buford’s swim and dive athletes maintain grade averages of 95 percent or higher, while 75 percent hold averages above 90 percent.
Dasher said that balance reflects the discipline swimmers develop through the sport.
“The habits they build in the pool carry into other parts of their lives,” she said. “The work ethic and determination it takes to chase faster times often show up in the classroom and beyond.”
The goal remains simple: keep improving, one race and one fraction of a second at a time.
