Hours of sweat and pain. Days waking up before 5 a.m. Months of grueling work. And then, finally, it all comes to an end. Tomorrow morning the Uni High girls swim team will swim in their last meet of the season: sectionals.

Every meet is important. They allow you to practice swimming faster and become a better swimmer overall. But what is all of that practice for? Sectionals. Throughout the season each member of the team set personal records without thinking about it. Our coach would often remark at how we weren’t expected to swim fast at this meet. Regardless, swimmers swam faster.

And, for the most part, you don’t think too much about whether you beat a record or a goal at any particular meet. Mostly you just think about how you swam overall. Sectionals is different. You’re expected to swim your best race and set a personal record.

It’s nice to have something to work toward, something you’re building up to. If you accomplish what you set out for it’s the greatest feeling there is. You feel dazed and amazed by how you were able to swim so fast. After working toward something for so long, you can’t even imagine what it will feel like to accomplish your goal. It’s something that always hangs in the future, unattainable but still there.

That final moment when you realize you’ve done the very best you can and it paid off is unbelievable. It’s the reason I swim every morning and amounts to some of the best moments I have ever had.

The realization of fulfilling your goal aside, there is a tremendous amount of pressure put on your shoulders at that last meet of the season. While it is amazing to match or exceed what you want from yourself, by the same token, it is also extremely disappointing when you don’t do well after preparing for months all for this one meet.

While those around you cheer and excite over their new records, you are left to nod along and congratulate others, feeling uneasy from your own performance. It’s the greatest fear for many athletes, and while some mention it often, others don’t dare to suggest it. This constant fear adds to the excitement and nerve-wracking anticipation of sectionals.

Some deal with the stress well, thinking positively. Others jump at the thought of not performing well, and it daunts them day after day before the actual event. It’s the final exam of the season and it’s all up to you to do your best. You know the material, you’ve studied your brains out, and the actual test is second nature. All that’s left is applying all you’ve learned at once, and being calm enough to execute it.

That is what I will try to do tomorrow alongside my dozen other teammates. Whether or not we meet our goals, the team will soar. Because even though each swimmer’s race is individual, it’s the team that means the most.