The word “dedication” is simply defined as “the quality of being committed to a task or purpose.” Considering the championship victories earned by girls soccer, boys soccer, and field hockey in the fall, it’s safe to say that FTHS student-athletes display a high level of dedication to their sports. While the fall season has drawn to a close, the finish of the fall sports season marks the beginning of the winter season for Freehold Township, which includes the early morning risers that constitute the swim team.

The athletes on the swim team show huge dedication, merely by voluntarily waking up every morning at 4:00 AM (no, you did not read that wrong). It is imperative for the students to wake up at this time, for practice begins at the Freehold Y at the inhumane hour of 5:00 AM. Due to Township being a late school in the district, the team has to use the Y in the morning, while earlier schools can access it when their day ends.

When asked if many people on the team complained about having to arise and exercise this early, sophomore Morgan Hodges replies, “Yes, especially at first.” However, Hodges insists that she personally does not mind it too much. Yet, despite their complaints, the swimmers are able to overcome their forced early wake-up call and perform well at practice.

For Hodges, and many other members of the team, it is often difficult to stay attentive during classes. “Sometimes I chew gum, so the movement helps me stay awake,” Hodges reports. “But, I’ll admit I do fall asleep in class if the lesson is boring,” she adds. In order to get a decent night’s sleep, this sophomore swimmer claims she tries to go to sleep by 9:30 PM the latest. Considering the typical behavior of teenagers, this is an early bedtime. Then again, most teenagers don’t have to wake up at 4:00 AM either.

Overall, as Hodges points out, there are pros and cons to getting up so early. “It’s pretty hard, since I have to go to bed early when I normally would stay up later. But, it’s good for the team as a whole because it brings us closer together.” Interestingly enough, forcing themselves out of bed so early gives all of the members of the team a shared struggle, thereby bringing them together.

Under the leadership of Coaches Bott and Leahy, the FTHS swim team is hoping to have a repeat of last year’s success. The goal is to win another A-North championship for Township. The team also has hopes of making it far in the competition for the state title. However, no matter what happens during their season, the Freehold Township swimmers are a group of dedicated, admirable athletes, and their decision to perform in the pool before the sun rises shows it.