Fall 2020 was a challenging year for many students, but for freshman Vyom Manot it became challenging for more reasons than just COVID-19. As a competitive swimmer for the Texas Ford Aquatics, Vyom found the lack of social interactions due to online schooling and the added pressure of moving to a higher group on his team caused him to want to take a break from swimming.

With the help of his brother and joining the Emerson Swim Team, Vyom rediscovered his passion and found his way back in the water. 

“During COVID times I wasn’t going to school, so I just felt like I couldn’t swim anymore,” Vyom said. “After being moved to a higher group, the practices became challenging and I felt really burnt out.”

The typical day for Vyom after taking a break from swimming was online school, taking naps, and just staying in his room. 

“When I wasn’t swimming I was really bored, and I didn’t realize how important it was to me,” Vyom said. “I thought, ‘I have to start swimming again. I’m not doing any athletics, I need to get my body in shape.’”

Vyom’s brother, also a swimmer, was one of the main reasons he started the sport. 

“I’ve always followed in his footsteps since I was young,” Vyom said. “I would do the things he would do. Although I have my own goals now, I still look up to him and find him first when I need guidance.”

Freshman Nick Anderson, Vyom’s teammate, thinks he is not only a great athlete and passionate about swimming, but also a good friend.

“He is a great teammate, he really cares about us and is always giving us feedback on what we could do to improve,” Anderson said. “He also assists us in performing to our best potential.”

The kind of person Vyom represents is shown by those who care about him. 

“Vyom is like the bonding glue of our team,” Anderson said. “He holds our team together and always motivates the rest of us to get better. If he never joined our team I don’t think we would ever have the positive environment we have right now.”

Vyom is glad he was able to overcome his burnout.

“I really enjoy being on our swim team,” Vyom said, “Although we might not be the best, I love being around everyone.”