West Orange Observer: Sports Spotlight — Brooke Larweth

Brooke Larweth may be in her first year at Windermere Prep after transferring from The First Academy, but the eighth-grader already is making a name for herself in the pool for the Lakers swim team. So far she has done big things for her team, including setting a school record in the 100-meter backstroke.

When did you first start swimming, and how did you get into the sport?

I started swimming when I was 5, and I just liked it because it was different, I guess. I wasn’t very good at soccer, so I quit that, and I just don’t know — I just love being in the water.

What has been the biggest change?

It’s a lot more of a positive atmosphere — the coaches are a lot more engaged, and everyone is more of a family. You can motivate each other during practice — you become stronger and better. And of course we have weights now, so we get to use the weight room, which is great.

What is your favorite part about swimming?

I guess it’s the people — we have some really good coaches and good friends. But also being in the water and racing — I like to be competitive.

What’s the most difficult thing about your sport?

Probably the practice schedule — getting up super early in the mornings before school, on Saturdays and then coming back after school and doing doubles isn’t always easy. But if you really love it, it’s great.

What motivates you to keep going?

I don’t know, it’s just kind of a feeling. You wouldn’t be the same person you were without swimming. I’ve been doing it for almost eight years. … After a while you start liking the grind — if you will — and there is a sense of pride when you’re a part of the team. (It’s) a reason to be motivated. And then when you do go through things that are hard at school or even home, you think about how much harder practice is and that gets you through most of the things.

The swim season started recently. How has it gone for you?

It’s my first year doing swimming for a school, and I like it a lot — it’s different than club. It’s a little more easy-going, so it’s more fun to just relax a little bit. But (you) also get everyone from different grades hyped up, just because you’re not all separated — you have high-schoolers and sixth-graders, and you get to know people from around the school. We broke a relay record on Wednesday night, and then I also broke another record on Friday night for individual.