Aris Runnels, a 17-year-old senior at Colgan High school in Manassas, qualified for the 2021 Olympic swim trials earlier this month in the 100-meter backstroke.

Aris started competitive swimming at 5, and she currently swims for the Nation’s Capital Swim Club (NCAP). Over the years with practice and training, she felt she’d mastered her breaststroke and butterfly technique. Aris never considered her backstroke to be impressive. In fact, it was one of the last stroke techniques she learned. The 100-meter backstroke at the NCAP June LC Meet in 2019, however, was a defining moment for her. With her time at 1:04.12, Aris realized that with continued practice, she could increase her speed and be even more competitive in this category.

After changing her focus to backstroke, Aris continued to train hard. This training involved daily practices, a regulated diet that alternated between high proteins and carbs, weight training, and cardio exercises that helped to increase Aris skills and endurance, which landed her a qualifying time to go to the 2021 Olympic trials this summer.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Aris had to adjust her training, but that did not slow down her determination. On practice days, Aris has to get up at 3 a.m. to drive to Alexandria from Prince William County and then come back home and log in for her online classes for school! Aris shared that she feels her current practice schedule is helping her to prepare for the arduous schedule that she will have when she attends the University of Florida, where she plans to continue her education and athletic career.

I asked Aris to share a message with other teens who are working toward their dreams.

Aris’s message is this, “Don’t have empty dreams. I never made qualifying for the Olympics a goal because it seemed out of reach. If I had been working toward this goal, I could have gotten there earlier. Always have something you are working toward and aim high. You never know what practice and persistence can do, and what can change for you with a little extra push!”

Congratulations Aris on your success! Continue to make our community proud!