MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- --
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW
RIVER, N.C. —
Athletes with Wounded Warrior Battalion-East completed a week long swim camp
that culminated in a competition-style swim meet at Marine Corps Air Station
New River Jan. 15.
Twenty Marines participated in
the camp which was designed to prepare the athletes for the 2016 Marine Corps Trails
which begin Feb. 28 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
“We
worked on freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke, and worked more on the
technical aspects of competitive swimming,” said Sarah Gillam, a swim coach
with WWBN-E.
Gillam added that most of the
athletes had never swum competitively.
“It was a lot of fun. I didn’t think
I would enjoy it because I have never really swam, so it was something new for
me,” said Cpl. Alexander Salazar with WWBN-E.
While the swim meet was designed to
allow swimmers to experience the excitement and stress of race day, there were
no winners and losers.
“By the time it was all said and
done, everyone was excited. Everyone was very proud of themselves and they had
a lot of fun.”
The swim camp was also about more
than just the Marine Corps trials, it also allows the Marines to exercise with
less pain.
“I love it,” said Salazar, a
22-year-old native of San Antonio, Texas who admitted to having chronic pain in
his shoulder, knees and hips. “It’s easier to move around in the water. It’s
easier on my body and to move around.”
Salazar is excited about the trials
and hopes to qualify to compete for the Marine team.
Gillam expects all 20 Marines to go
to the trials and compete in swimming and to her, that makes the camp a
success.
“It
was amazing. They remembered what they were supposed to do and they all gave
their all.