Q&A with Hanover HS swimmer Sam Castle
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. — Sam Castle, an accomplished Hanover High School Swimmer, shares how he sets goals for himself, overcomes obstacles, and how he plans to share his love of swimming with others this summer. Sam also values creating lifelong relationships with his teammates and has learned that being honorable, respectful, and of the highest character can enable you to achieve athletic and life goals.
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Sam Castle: My personal goals in swimming are to make the top final at states and be competitive in that race. As a state champion swimmer, I long to be the best at high-level meets. Showing that I belong with the top dogs in the state is important for me and my top goal year in and year out.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Castle: The biggest challenge in swimming is breaking through when you are stuck. In this sport, it is hard to make large improvements. Every day is a grind and realizing that progress is there, even when you cannot see it, is a huge barrier to cross. I have to remind myself that if I keep working hard, I will improve, even if it’s not at the rate I might want.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Castle: The best advice someone ever gave me was that hard work is the most important factor to success. Whether in life or in competition, hard work is the key to achieving excellence. Often the difference between winning or just being good.
What do you love about your sport?
Castle: What I love most about swimming and all high school sports is the culture. Sports bring together some amazing people, and your teammates become some of your closest friends, whether in the pool or not.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Castle: My pregame/pre swim rituals are very basic. Before each event, right before I step on the blocks, I close my eyes, envision my race, turn off the outside noise, and lock-in. I simply focus up and get in the racing mindset.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Castle: Outside of the pool, I love to work with my hands. My favorite hobbies include welding, woodworking, and craftsmanship. When I am not doing those, I am enjoying my time hunting, fishing, waterskiing, and boating every chance I can get.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Castle: Being a member of the Hanover High School swim team has not only developed my athletic career but taught me important skills that will help me throughout life. Hanover Hawks Swimming is based on doing things the right way 100% of the time. By following the team’s norms, or the champions’ creed, I have learned that above all else, being honorable, respectful, and of the utmost character, you can accomplish the goals of your athletic career and your life.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Castle: The best piece of advice I received from a coach came outside of swimming. When I played football, current Hanover High School football coach Sam Rogers told me, “Just showing up every day and going through the motions isn’t enough. Hard work and perseverance are vital to success, and without them, you can expect mediocrity.”
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Castle: As an athlete, mistakes are a regular occurrence. Learning to overcome them and move on is vital to staying successful. Within a race, there are always minute mistakes or a small thing that was not up to par, such as a bad turn here or an extra breath there. You have to learn to settle down, not get amped up and focus on the next race if you are going to maintain a high level of performance.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Castle: I’m excited about a new opportunity this year. I will be coaching my summer swim team, where I started swimming when I was five. Just as I have done for more than a decade, I am excited about helping others learn about the sport and get better.
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