Lindsay DeLaRosby Sr. • Freestyle	Could the four years be over already? So many times I have almost called it quits and realize now how badly I would have regretted it. I am looking forward to calling it a career, but I am also sad that this is really the end. First of all, I would like to thank my parents for everything they have done for me throughout my college career. Watching their children grow up and participate in sports is something they have always loved and I know this will be just as sad a time for them as it is for me. My parents rarely missed a meet and would drive all the way from Two Harbors (for those of you who don’t know Minnesota, well … it’s near Canada) to watch me swim three races that would last from 25 to 57 seconds (if I’m lucky!). They never failed to provide me with words of wisdom. I tend to get discouraged easily and Dad never unsuccessfully gave me encouragement without a little laughter to go along with it. A few of them were, “Remember that you can’t swim your top time every meet — or pretty soon you’d be swimming negative time and even Einstein couldn’t figure that out.” “Just keep up your good training and stay healthy (yes, stay off the booze for awhile).” “Did you tell Eric that you combined three good practice sessions with three late nights and a case of beer??????” He kept me going and gave me a good laugh. But my favorite one is, “You have learned how to do hard work, not give up and to finish what you have started. Hit em with your best shot! That’s my Lu!” You know what, Dad? That’s just what I did. Mom, you never forgot to bring me that Gatorade to keep my energy going during a meet and always lifted my spirits with those little surprises you brought for me! Thank you and I love you both very much. Thank you to all the parents for attending our meets. Especially the Twedts who, like my parents, almost never missed a meet and always provided the team with excessive amounts of food! For the past four years, they made the SMU superfans section. There are also a few other fans that tried to make it to as many meets as possible. So, thank you, Jaimie and Kelly, for being such supportive friends these past four years. Love the make shift signs, but sorry I can’t hear you cheering … I AM under water. I also wanted to thank my roommate this year and a first timer at my swim meets, Tara. Even though you don’t know what is really going on at swim meets, thanks for the support and encouragement you have given me this season. I want to thank some of the past swimmers for being good role models and friends. To Kyle, Travers, Justin, Benny, and Luke. These five guys have been an awesome support system for me in and out of college, especially when it comes to swimming. It is always nice to see someone who you look up to come back and give such great support. Thanks guys. I also want to thank my siblings, Hal, Jay, and Beth who have all been there for me in many different ways. Hal and Jay have shown me to believe in myself and that God is always there. Beth, having a twin isn’t easy. But I thank God that he gave me you to share all my life experiences with and to challenge me (or make me look bad J) at swimming. I love you guys! To all the freshmen and first-year swimmers: Keep working hard and give it your all. Kasey, thanks for sharing lane 6 with me this year. It was great to swim with someone who has the same passion as I do. I want to leave you with my favorite quote from Jim Valvano: “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” Coach, so much to say to someone who has been around to see my best, and sorry to say, my worst. Swimming has definitely taken a lot out of me and taught me many lessons. I was blessed to have a coach who was caring and understanding but also didn’t put up with my whining. As I started to swim here you were just a coach telling me what to do and pushing me in the pool at six a.m. (okay sometime 6:29). You once told me, “Sometimes the journey is as important as the destination.” As I look back at these past four years, that journey has sure taught me a lot about myself. As the years went on you have become an amazing friend. And as I continue my life away from Saint Mary’s I hope that you will still be there. Lastly, but certainly the most important. Thank you to the people who I have shared this journey with. Logan, Becca, and Sean … Wow! Who would have thought we would make it all this way? I think by believing in each other we have made it easy for us to get through the tough times. Most of my memories are with you guys. You three have been a huge part of my college and swimming life and I hope that you all continue to be there for the rest of my life. SMU couldn’t have asked for any better qualities in captains than what I have seen from you guys. Logan, thanks for all the good memories and talks that we have had. Becca, I’ve learned that you can’t be roommates with a swimmer, but you can sure be best friends with one. Sean, I’ve learned one of the hardest things to do on a swim team is to date someone on the team. You think I would learn my lesson? Let’s see if third times a charm! I hope that I have left this team with something to remember me by, because over the past four years I have learned so much from other members of my team. Good luck to all you swimmers who are lucky to have the opportunity to keep swimming. Thank you for all the memories!