My mom decided I was a really good swimmer and I should be on a swim team during the year as well as the summer. That‘s why I was sitting in the car going to the Rye YMCA for a swim tryout. “But mom, I don’t want to go to the tryout! I’m really nervous I won’t make it on the team,” I said, biting my finger nails. “Who cares if you don’t make it on the team,” my mom said. “The important thing is you tried.” OK, I thought. I just have to try. So that’s what I did. I slid out of the car seat and started walking inside with my mom. When we got inside my mom signed me up for the tryouts, and I put on my swim cap and goggles. I whispered to my mom, “I’m really nervous!” She whispered back, “You’ll be fine!” When it was my turn, I walked in. A lady told me to stand near a lane. The lady then said, “Hi my name is Coach Liz and today you’re going to do two laps of each stroke. What’s your name?” “I’m Ava,” I said quietly. “Ok, Ava,” she said. “Well, dive in!” I didn’t have to be told twice. I did my best dive and started swimming freestyle. Freestyle is my best stroke so I didn’t have a problem with those two laps. Backstroke I was OK, but I was definitely slower than Freestyle. Breaststroke I’m really good at too, so that was easy. My last two laps were butterfly which I hated and was really bad at! But I tried my best and eventually got through it. “Remember, Ava, this Saturday your mom will get an email. If you are on the team or not,” said Coach Liz. I nodded and got out of the pool and walked to my mom. “How did you do?” my mom asked “OK, I guess, except for butterfly!” I said, and then I walked to the locker room. I took a warm shower, got changed, and went home. I woke up early Saturday morning and raced down the stairs to the computer. I was so excited because today my mom would get and email if I’m on the team or not. I went onto my mom’s email and clicked the email from the team. It said, "Congratulations, Ava is on the Rye Wave Ryder’s swim team!" I screamed, “OMG! Mom I’m on the swim team!” I was so happy. and I learned all you have to do is try!