“SOR” is known for many things….a passionate football community, cows, family values, softball, poor cell coverage…but competitive swimming isn’t one of them….until now. Midway junior Seth Hughes is making waves both physically and figuratively. Seth qualified for the State Tournament where he represented Midway High School; a first for the school. We ditched our water wings for a one-on-one with the Mike Phelps of Midway.
SORSN: This is our first interview with a swimmer so we’re not sure what questions to ask……so we make no promises that we’ll stay on topic or ask valid questions. That said……how difficult is it to train in Watts Bar? What is the worst part about training in Watts Bar?
a) The larger than life catfish
b) Broken beer bottles
c) Billy Bob and his 90 mph bass boat
d) Misplaced trot lines
Seth: I just wanted to say that I literally “Laughed Out loud” at some of that stuff haha …if I had to choose one it would most definitely be “A”…..all though Billy Bob can be quite annoying. The waves his boat makes are purty darn big.
SORSN: Have you asked Principal Mason about putting in a pool behind the school? Perhaps on the football practice field….it naturally holds water.
Seth: Mr. Mason and I have discussed turning the practice field into a pool, and I was all for it until I learned that there is a possibility that the pool could be flooded with the schools sewage…I love swimming but not that much!
SORSN: In all seriousness, tell our readers how much training you have to do in order to compete, and win, at the level that you do.
Seth: As Far as my training goes I would go to LC every day after school except Friday and swim for about an hour and half. Then depending on what my Schedule was on Saturdays I would go to the Oak Ridge Civic Center during Lap swim and time myself to get faster and faster
SORSN: As anyone who has ever been to a Midway basketball game during the ‘90s can attest to, your mom, aunts & grandmother have what we all refer to as “a set of lungs!” Tell us how much your “lungs” comes into play during swim meets and what you do to work out those lungs.
Seth: All though my family is known for singing I don’t like to sing so I guess I use my” lungs” in a different way. Breathing is very important. In swim it can affect your time speed and overall performance. In practice my coach strives for us to take the least amount of breaths that we can. She also makes us do drills called “underwaters” which is where we swim from one end of the pool and back underwater wiggling like a worm or butterfly kicking. As far as me practice breathing techniques on my own i would just see how long i could stay underwater.
SORSN: Have you thought about supporting a SORSN.com temporary tattoo across your chest during swim meets? You should, all the cool kids are. Perhaps in the 2016 Olympics? We promise we’ll make you the cover photo.
Seth: I have never thought of promoting SORSN.com but I would to in the future if I ever qualified for anymore events ;D …. thanks for talking to me I really appreciate all the support you guys have given me !!
Thanks for your time Seth and congratulations on all your success.