Every year, thousands of swimmers all around America put in tireless hours in hopes for the opportunity to compete in the Olympics. One of those thousands of swimmers, Hayden Miller, a sophomore at Cypress Creek, has qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials and has the opportunity to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics. The highly competitive event includes racers from all over America with impressive times in their respective strokes, all competing for one goal, to compete in the Olympics.

“It’s really exciting getting to know that you are gonna be able to race alongside past Olympians,” Miller said. “I know this is an experience I will never forget and I’m very excited.”

Hayden Miller started swimming at about five years old after her neighbor joined a summer league. After finding a passion for swimming, she decided to continue by joining a year-round league herself in middle school.

Miller will compete in the Olympic Trial for freestyle. With a time of 8:44 for an 800, it has surprised no one that she qualified. However, this opportunity does not present itself without countless hours of commitment and hard work, especially with the added stress of school work and home life. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Miller has morning practice from 5 – 6:30, and everyday after school, she has practice from 3:40 – 6, as well as morning and afternoon practice on Saturdays.

“I practice at least 20 hours a week,” stated Miller, “I try to get all my homework done either at school, or after practice.”

Of course with the amount of hours Miller puts into swimming, she may have days where she does not feel up to practice and the stress of balancing school and swimming.

“Sometimes I’m so tired I don’t feel like going to practice, even to the point where I think about quitting,” said Miller. “But I feel like I would be super bored just because of all the time I put into swimming, and even though sometimes it can get on my nerves, I love it.”