Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.
Ploy Freebairn
NAME: Ploy Freebairn
PARENTS: Prae Combs and James Combs
SIBLINGS: Skylar Combs (19) and Summer Combs (26)
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: English/Science
FAVORITE SPARE TIME ACTIVITY: Writing
FAVORITE FOOD: Sushi
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: Too many to choose from.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Interstellar
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Through the Wormhole
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY WHEN YOU WERE A KID? Gameboy Advance? If that counts.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I want to get a PhD in neuroscience and hopefully do research at a college as well as be a college professor.
EVENT(S): All freestyle events and 100 fly
WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH TO YOUR EVENTS? Sprinting: Don’t breathe and focus on all the details, turn, head and arm position. Distance: Maintain pace and keep getting faster each 100. Fly: Always keep a loose body and stretch the arms and keeping a steady, fast tempo.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SEASON SO FAR? It has been great, even though I ended up not at my best at the last two meets due to sickness. The team as a whole has improved and it has been fun watching people go their goal times.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT TO THE SEASON SO FAR (team)? Our relays have been doing awesome, even though we’ve been going up against tough competition. I feel we’re going to do well at District and State.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT TO THE SEASON SO FAR (personal)? I cut half of a second off of my 50 free time and nearly broke a .26. I have been working extremely hard to cut time in this event, and cutting that much time off was amazing.
WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THE TEAM TO BE SUCCESSFUL THE REST OF THE SEASON? Keep going strong. Hold onto that want to win and succeed in getting times.
TALK ABOUT YOUR SWIMMING NOW; WHAT ARE YOU MOST CONFIDENT IN YOUR ABILITY TO DO? From a physical perspective, my arms; they are the strongest part of my body and allow me to endure quite a bit when my legs give out. From a mental perspective, I feel it is my ability to never give up. I have gotten sick at the worst times, suffered injuries in the past, but as I am approaching my fourteenth year, all of these barriers have been crossed and I am still in love with the sport.
WHAT DO YOU WORK HARDEST TO IMPROVE ON IN PRACTICE? I like to focus on several little things; even slight adjustments on technique can cause you to drop a lot of time.
WHEN YOU’RE THROUGH SWIMMING FOR BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL LOOK BACK AND REMEMBER MOST FONDLY ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE? I love my team. I have great relationships with many teammates, and I know that all the bus rides and meet days will always have a special place in my heart.
