Imagine a pool filled with cold, crisp water, lined with spectators on either side. The air buzzes with energy, hearts pulsing in sync. The only thing that you are aware of is TobyMac’s “Ignition” playing in your head and the feeling of butterflies in your stomach. Before long, a shot sounds, and you find yourself underwater, adrenaline rushing through your veins.

This is how Sacred Hearts Academy freshman LeGrand Pound feels before a race.

An athlete since the age of 7, Pound has found competitive swimming to be her passion. When her swim career began, she only touched the water once a week, displaying little interest in the sport. Her passion for the water had not yet been awakened until a hero at home became her motivation.

“My mom decided to become the coach for my team,” said Pound. “She used to be a swimmer, and so, she pushed my sisters and me to become swimmers, too. Since then, I started to love going to practice.”

Pound is a member of the Sacred Hearts Pac-5 team and during the off-season a swimmer for the Kamehameha Swim Club .

In the recent state championships, Pound won two golds, an unusual feat for a freshman, with a time of 52.1 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle and 1 minute and 52.42 seconds in the 200-yard freestyle.

Douglas Reyes, coach of the Pac-5 team,  is proud of Pound’s achievements and growth over the course of the season.

“Pound is very disciplined, hard-working and goal-oriented. She wants to find out how great she can be in swimming, ” said Reyes. “Being a freshman in high school has helped tremendously as well as the education that she receives at Sacred Hearts.”

Academy Athletic Director Ryan Hogue finds Pound astonishing and says that Pound exemplifies the ideal student athlete.

“She is academically strong, and she is very committed to her sport. She’s always working to get better,” he said.

According to her parents, Pound has benefited in other ways from participating in competitive swimming.

“While her body has matured and grown, the biggest maturation has taken place in her mind,” said Pound’s mother, who shares the same first name. “ LeGrand, at age 11, raced opponents in the water. In essence, she would only swim as fast as her fastest competitor.  Now at 15 years old, she races against the clock.”

Through her never-ending commitment, determination and humour, Pound has not only earned the respect of her coaches and teachers but also of teammates. Her willingness to help and encourage her peers has strengthened team relationships and has brought members closer together.

Freshmen Julia Oehlers and Kaianalii Rosa-Grace,  members of the Pac-5 team, look up to Pound.

“She is a ball full of energy who has a great competitive spirit,” Oehlers said. “She always helps us with technique, tempo and dives before meets. She spreads positive vibes through our team and makes everyone feel at home.”

Rosa-Grace recalls a time when Pound helped her.

“During our swimming meet champs, I struggled with my relay dives,” said Rosa-Grace. “LeGrand was really helpful and taught me how to do the correct dive. She motivated me to do my best.”

Inspired by Olympian Michael Phelps, Pound is aiming for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She practices for two and a half hours on weekdays and three hours on Saturdays, at least 15 hours each week.

Pound recently added yoga to her routine to strengthen her core, advice given to her by Kamehameha teammates. She continues to work on becoming a stronger, more diligent competitor.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere without my coaches and teammates. They are the reasons that I am where I am today. My parents are also a huge reason why I am able to swim, “ said Pound. “I thank God for letting me have the opportunity to race.”