During the second year of Coach Summers, the team was forced to relocate for the season due to pool construction at Mankato East. In this season of travel, we had daily bus rides, waited on another team to end their practices, and really felt out of place. Through this challenging season, there was a need for a phrase to help us remember why we are doing the things we do. This process came into a short call and response that had the athletes saying "do the work" to the variety of challenge statements. As the team struggled to find adequate pool time, we still "do the work." As we get tired of bus rides and just want to stay home, "do the work." As we get worn out late in the season before taper starts, "do the work."
Over time, we have added to our team phrase to include Show the Work and Make it Work. As we continue to grow, learn, and advance as a team, we will work together to "Do The Work."
When you are coming off a successful season… Do the work.
When you are feeling down after a bad day of tests and school… Do the work.
When you find yourself struggling to stay motivated and keep yourself inspired… Do the work.
When you have moments of complete and utter success… Do the work.
When people tell you that you will never achieve your goals… Do the work.
When you get the chance to prove to yourself that you are mentally tougher than you ever thought possible… Do the work.
Do The Work because we are ready to rise to the occasion, are seeking success, and are pushing ourselves to become the best we can be, together.
Putting in the effort all season long helps us 'build the house' of becoming the strongest we can. Each day in the weight room, during warmup, or advancement in resistance training in the pool helps us solidify our foundation, build strong walls to support our training, and allow us to cash in on these efforts at the end of the season.
Once we hit that taper window, it is time to let our effort be paid back to us by finding success, hitting new dive scores, dropping best times, seeking placement on the podium, and qualifying for the state meet.
Whether you are working to improve your position on the team, making yourself better, or finding a way to help the team stay strong, the goal is to find a way to make it work. Coming together, supporting each other, and rising to the challenges before us is a critical part of being a team!
Through our efforts on the starting blocks, diving board, and weight room, the process all comes together to help us find ways to approach our goals.
Having a clear goal in mind is beneficial, but we must also develop the habits to get us there.