What It Takes to Be on Top: A Swim Piece on Addie Wilson and Lanson Gilbert

Lanson Gilbert on September 29, 2025 at the Watauga Community Recreation Center swimming in the lap pool during a meet. Photo Creds: Lanson Gilbert.  

Ella Hudzik, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn

For record-breaking swimmers like Addie Wilson and Lanson Gilbert, swimming is their entire life. The typical day in the life of a swimmer on Watauga High School's swim team is dedicated to warm-ups, practices, staying late after school, and pushing themselves to the limit. These two swimmers also participate in the Watauga Club Swim Team. What makes a star swimmer is not only how fast you can finish your laps or how many records you break, but the passion and dedication involved in playing the sport. 

A recent achievement for sophomore Lanson Gilbert has been breaking the school record for the 100 freestyle. The 100 freestyle is a race that requires the swimmer to swim 2 laps down and 2 laps back, adding up to 100 meters. This race requires maximal effort from start to finish. Since this race is almost like an extended sprint, it’s seen as one of the most challenging races a swimmer can compete in.

“I am really dedicated to my sport,” said Gilbert. “I started in 8th grade and I’ve been swimming for about 2 years now. I practice six days a week, every afternoon, lift three days a week in the morning, and swim three days a week in the morning. All of my training and hard work is the reason why I’ve been able to advance this far.”  

Because swimming is a high commitment sport, it’s important to have a reason for doing it. A common difficulty that swimmers face is having to put swimming above all else. Having the right mindset and attitude towards swimming can keep it exciting and prevent it from becoming a chore.

“Beating the school record has kept me motivated to do a lot more and get more records,” said Gilbert. “One of the most important things for me is to remember to work hard and always have fun.”  

Teammates often refer to Gilbert as one of the most dedicated swimmers, since he puts in the most hours at the pool, allowing him to do anything he sets his mind to. Gilbert is seated in the 53rd spot in the region right now and is currently working towards a spot in NC’s 2026 swimming states competition. 

Another one of Watauga's top swimmers is junior Addie Wilson. Wilson has been swimming for her clubs ever since she was five years old. All of this time and learning spent on her swimming career has definitely led to a lot of growth and discovery. 

“I’ve seen a lot of phases of swimming go by. I think one of the biggest learning curves for me is performing badly in a race and then being able to do well in my next race or even my next meet,” said Wilson. “It gives me the confidence to feel like I deserve it because I’ve worked so hard for it.” 

Setting goals and having confidence is an important aspect of competitive swimming. Wilson holds her swimming to a high standard and has big goals for the new year up ahead. 

“Hopefully I’m going to break the school record this year for the 500 freestyle. Last year I missed it by about .2 of a second. Since I was so close last year I’m really hoping I can beat my goal,” said Wilson. “I have state cuts, sectional cuts, several team records, and I’m also hoping this year to be top three at states.” 

On the surface, swimming seems to be more of an individual sport, but the community is a large part of swim culture. Teamwork is a big part as well. Many swimmers can agree that their team, meeting new people, and big swim meets contribute to the reason why they love to swim so much. 

“Traveling means there’s so many cool new people to meet and so many cool things to do that you can do more of as you get higher in the sport,” said Wilson. “Swimming has given me my best friends and my circle. There are days where I don’t feel like I can do anything and my team gives me the support I need to keep going.”  

The benefits of swimming in high school are undeniably significant. College scholarships, building a better work ethic, meeting new people, and overall becoming stronger as a person. It takes lots of time and effort to become great, but great athletes like these show us the meaning of sticking with this sport because you never know where you might end up. 

“Some days swimming is really hard. There have been many tears on the pool deck,” said Wilson. “But it’s given me the people I go through it with, that I laugh with, and that I cry with every day. There are days where I don’t feel like I can do it, but at some point I just have to put my head down, remind myself what I’m here for, and do it.”