Colby Swecker of Lake Hamilton Senior Sendoff


What was your most memorable meet and why?

My most memorable cross country meet would have to be my most recent, All star meet of 2018. I came off the season running a best of 16:41, due to a mid season surgery, placed 3rd in the state meet and then led the AR team with a season best of 16:19.

Where did you face your biggest competition?

I feel mine and everyone else's biggest competition is their mind. If you can beat it, you really can do something marvelous

Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most and why?

The fact that I've made it where I am at is the biggest for me, I didn't know where I was going to be at this point at  the beginning of running but looking back at it, I'm proud to be here.

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?

I want to say I would stay more focused, but If I did go back I'd probably do everything the same way I did it before. If I went back and changed one thing, who knows where I would be, but I'm glad I am where I'm at.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

A few big difficulties growing up was dealing with poverty in my family, my family, or a particular in my family, coming in between a lot of things, and growing up being born with a cleft lip. Besides that, Mid summer 2017, I had to have two corrective surgeries done to move my top jaw forward about a centimeter, plates screwed in my cheek bones with a screw device I had to turn once everyday, and being on a liquid diet and no activity but walking for about 3 months. Going on to this season, I had a swollen turbinate on the inside of my nose and it was blocking my breathing from my nasal airway. I had to have surgery to get it removed,  had to take about a week off, and had terrible nose bleeds and runny noses for weeks. But it's never about what happens in your life, it's about what you do about it.

What will you miss the most?

Probably the cross country dinners, long bus rides, and those easy runs with teammates where you have nothing but time to waste.

Do you have any advice for younger athletes?

I would say to remember everything you do and do it like its your last, because it will be. You may be a freshman or sophomore at one point but once that 2018 State championships is over, you will NEVER have another 2018 state championship race. Maybe 2019, or 2020, but 2018 will never happen again. Oh and Drink water, Sleep 8+ hours a day, and stay relaxed, you are focused more when you're relaxed than when you are trying hard.

What are your post-high school or college plans?

I plan to stay in Arkansas for college, run in college, and go into Computer Science and programming. College choice should not be too long.

Who would you like to say thank you to?

I want to say thank you to my coaches, Coach Koonce and Coach Smith, Y'all have done an amazing job and have a big future in LH Cross Country. My close friends, Anacaren, Reece, Skylar, Omar, Carter, Adam, Noah and a big shout out to the Ramos Family (Cindy, Alva, Laura, Anacaren and Omar) Thank y'all. Also to my teammates and teammates parents, too many to name but y'all are all amazing too, wouldn't be part of a team without you all. To all the freshman at LHHS, y'all have something big developing and it will go far, keep going where you're going, Zeke, Evan, Levi, Ethan S., and the rest! Most of all, shoutout to my brother and my mom, Billy (William Swecker) and Angela Swecker. Billy, I know some things aren't always right but keep your head up and keep moving forward. Mom, I love you and always will, always be yourself.  Thank you all for being a part of my life and letting me be a part of yours. Thank you.