At Lambert, many students take on busy schedules, but senior Brielle Thomas wanted to make the most of her senior year and has taken it to another level by participating in not one, but two varsity sports: cheer and swim. As a dual athlete, Brielle Thomas has learned how to push herself, stay motivated and make the most of her final year.
Thomas has been competitively swimming almost her whole life — she started when she was only 6 years old. After spending years in club swim and placing at many meets, she decided she wanted to try something new.
“I decided I only wanted to do Lambert Swim, so I quit club. With my extra time, I wanted to try another sport for my senior year,” Thomas explained.
That curiosity led her to join the cheer team this fall. Even though cheer and swim are very different, Thomas says she enjoys both for the same reason — the people.
“I love both of the team atmospheres,” Thomas said. “Both sports are so different but have a similarity with the bond each sport creates.”
Balancing both sports wasn’t always easy. With practices, meets, and games, Thomas has had to stay organized and positive.
“Practices for both sports were challenging,” Thomas said. “It was very important to keep myself motivated and smiling through both!”
Training for each sport also looks completely different. Swim is more of a competitive environment, where cheer is full of school spirit on the sidelines.
“I’d say training for swim is more intense and a ton of cardio,” Thomas said. “Cheer was a lot of memorization with the many cheers.”
Even with the differences, she feels each sport taught her something new. Thomas says that the cultures of both teams made the hard work worth it.
“The team culture for both is super great!” Thomas shared. “A lot of good friendships have come out of both.”
Thomas has learned so much from her experience and believes that her choice has led her to learn so much more, about her sports and herself. She believes stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to the best experiences. For younger athletes thinking about trying multiple sports, Thomas has one main piece of advice.
“Never be afraid to try something new!” Thomas says.
As Brielle Thomas wraps up her senior year, she hopes her story encourages others to take chances, explore new things and find joy in different kinds of teams. Her positive attitude and willingness to try something new shows what it truly means to make the most of high school.
