University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL SWIM DIARIES - SAM MACCHEROLA
November 15, 2006 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Nov. 15, 2006
When writing this diary, I was completely stumped as to what topic to address. I asked a few teammates for help, but even though I appreciated their kindness, I found the topics of cats, authority and Muhatma Ghandi somewhat unsatisfactory. So I started thinking and my mind traveled to one of my favorite things in the world: high fives.
When you break down the high five, all it really comprises of is two hands smacking together with a good amount of force. However, a high five has meaning when the two people executing the action understand what that slap's intention really is: encouragement, support and enthusiasm; A morale boost, so to speak.
Lady Vol Swimming and Diving is much like the high five. I don't mean that we smack into each other (well, not on purpose at least), but that we represent the metaphorical symbolism of the word. We give encouragement and support and provide enthusiasm for each other in practice, meets and everyday life.
Just like the high five, the Lady Vol swimming and diving team is what it is because of the unique group of young women that form the team. Each person brings her own special identity to the team, but at the same time there is an understanding that unity is important. We are a family.
High fives are nothing unless there is a connection between the two high-fivers and the meaning is understood. The team is the same way. We all understand each other and believe in many of the same characteristics such as encouragement, enthusiasm and support.
