Everything is still. There’s a moment of silence as each swimmer prepares for the next minute and 30 seconds. “Swimmer’s step up.” “Take your marks.” The buzzer goes off. As her body hits the cold water, Ava Harmon (11) isn’t stressed. She knows that every practice she has endured, every weight she has lifted and every yard she has swam has prepared her for this moment. “I started swimming when I was 6,” Harmon said.  “My older sister swam, and my dad would always take me to her practices to watch, and I was like, ‘I want to do this.’” Harmon had been a student at Holt Public Schools since she was in elementary school and originally played soccer, when she began swimming with her older sister. “We only had one high school season together because she graduated my freshman year, but I really cherish that year,” Harmon said. ¨It’s nice having your older sister on your team because she’s someone that I’m very close with, and she always pushed me to do my best and keep going.” When Harmon transferred from Holt to East Lansing her sophomore year, she may not have had her sister with her, but she soon gained a new family on the East Lansing girls’ varsity swim and dive team. “Every single teammate I’ve had has been very supportive, and they keep me going,” said Harmon. “They’re always there for me to talk to, in and out of the pool, and [they’re] some of my best friends. My coaches are amazing too. They’re really understanding and great people to be around and look up to.” The switch to East Lansing helped set Harmon up for success. Harmon placed 3rd in both of her individual events at the CAAC Blue conference meet, swam at the MHSAA Division 2 state meet in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays and is one of the conference leaders in points scored. While her success is evident, the pressure that comes along with it isn’t as apparent to others. “I felt very exhausted this season and burnt out,” Harmon said. “I kind of just wanted to be done. I started talking to a sports psychologist, which was very helpful, because most of swimming is your mindset, and that was something that I really struggled with.¨ Though she’s faced frustrations with the sport, Harmon plans to continue her time in the water outside of high school. To prepare for this, Harmon has created a profile with Next College Student Athlete. Through this, Harmon has connected with various collegiate swim coaches, setting her up for success after her senior year.  “The process is going really well,” Harmon said. “I definitely want to get recruited. I’m not sure what division yet, but I’m thinking Division II or Division III.”