Local high school senior may have chance to compete in Olympics

With the 2012 Summer Olympics coming up, athletes around the world are focused on qualifying to represent their countries in one of the incredible competitions.  For some, this dream may seem distant, but for Charlottesville’s own Holly Harper, the opportunity to compete in the Olympics is only 0.12 of a second away.

Harper is a senior at Albemarle High School (AHS).  She swims for three teams, including the AHS Swim Team, Virginia Gators and the Fairview Swim Team.  Virginia Gators is the only year-round team out of the three, and Harper continues to swim for the team, even during Albemarle’s winter season and Fairview’s summer season.

Swimming is a very important part of Harper’s life. “I started swimming in part because my friends always talked about how fun it was,” she said.  “I loved the idea of getting to be so close to people, while getting the most out of myself.”

Harper now has one impressive goal in mind.  “I’ve been trying for the past year to make the Olympic cut, but I keep missing it.”

The Olympic trials are the last week in June, and Harper is hoping to qualify.  “I’d be able to go if I can get my cut.  I swim the backstroke in 1:04.11 seconds, and the cut for Olympic trials is a 1:03.99.”

Harper is focused on making herself better.  The cut she is attempting to make is in the one hundred meter backstroke, which includes one flip turn.  “For at least 80 meters I’m under the cut, and I’m doing fine,” she said. “Then in the last 20 meters, I just fall apart.”

In addition to her dedication to swimming, Harper is also a high school student taking challenging classes.  “You sacrifice different things to get work done,” Harper said.  “It’s hard to balance school and swimming, but you just make it work.”

Harper will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall with a swimming scholarship, and she is hoping to have had an Olympic experience when she arrives.