Olympia swimmer soaks in lessons from USA Swimming Diversity Select Camp

Sofia Bernard has returned home to Southwest Orange County with a renewed sense of vigor after attending USA Swimming’s Diversity Select Camp in May.

A rising senior at Olympia High, Bernard, 17,  arrived at U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs — where the camp was located — on May 5. She started her days there at 6 a.m. with a small snack and swimsuit in hand. 

In the pool by 7 a.m., Bernard practiced for two hours, after which she would head back to the cafeteria for a heavier meal. 

USA Swimming hosted meetings aimed to inspire and educate the swimmers twice a day, before lunch and after dinner. Bernard said that USA Swimming emphasized how limited ethnic diversity is in swimming.

“They were telling us that …. we have this really special opportunity because of how different we are, that we possess talent in the sport and how lucky we are,” Bernard said. “And [they] just taught us to be proud of who we are and how to keep going even through hard practices.”

Bernard said USA Swimming told her to be proud of her heritage — Mexican and Spanish — and that she should embrace it because it would provide her with opportunities others might not have. 

Besides learning new drills and the meetings, Bernard said the camp also worked to teach attendees about nutrition — even going as far as holding cooking classes to show swimmers what’s healthy to eat after practice.

The Diversity Select Camp required applicants to be ethnic and to submit their best times and their IMX scores. From a large pool of applicants, 48 athletes (24 boys and 24 girls) were chosen.

Since returning, Bernard — who competes for Olympia on the school’s swimming and water polo teams — has been at work training under Michael Curley, the swim coach at Lake Highland Prep in Orlando. Though the two have only been working together for around a month, the veteran swim coach sees a lot of potential in Bernard. 

“I don’t see why she couldn’t be considered for the 2020 Olympics,” Curley said. “I think she’s that gifted … whatever school she chooses for college she’s going to have an impact.”

Reflecting on Bernard’s involvement in the Diversity Select Camp, Curley said a common misconception is that swimming is a sport for the wealthy. He said this is something USA Swimming is actively working against with effort such as the camp.

"Life’s a challenge and you have to rise to it.”

— Sofia Bernard, Olympia High swimmer

Bernard says she wants to swim at a Division I program in college next fall and is looking at attending Auburn University. She plans to major in foreign affairs and international security paired with a minor in forensic science.

Though camp ended May 8, Bernard still holds the experience close. She said her favorite part of camp was when the camp held a mock meet toward the end of the trip; she came in first in the 100-meter freestyle, with her team coming in first for the relay.  

“Honestly, it’s probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Bernard said. 

She left with a strong message.

“You can’t give up,” she said. “If someone knocks you down you have to get right back up. Life’s a challenge and you have to rise to it.”