When it comes to swimming, few sports demand the same level of physical and mental endurance. Within the sport, success is never an outcome of luck. Instead, it is built stroke by stroke, the product of countless hours of practice, unwavering consistency, and a highly disciplined mindset. Sean Stanik, a captain senior on the Hawks swim team, is the perfect example of how hard work leads to success.
Like many other incredible athletes, Sean started his swimming journey at a very young age. His interest in swimming was inspired by his older brothers, who both swam competitively. This led him to joining his first team, the Blue Dolphins, at just seven years old. His early start in the sport allowed him to master the fundamentals early on, giving him an edge over many other swimmers.
After spending several years with the Blue Dolphins, Sean later joined multiple teams before finding his place at FSPY, the swim team for the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA. With a combination of talent, a strong foundation, and great coaching, Sean was able to improve rapidly. Finally, after many years of hard work and dedication, Sean has become the fastest freestyler on the Hawks, with a time of 22.42 seconds for 50 yards, and a time of 47.79 seconds for 100 yards. Last year, he placed 3rd in both the 200 and 500 yard freestyle last year at GMCs, and also qualified for the Meet of Champions!
Sean’s favorite stroke is freestyle, and his best event and favorite event is the 200 freestyle, where he has an impressive time of 1:44.55. However, his talent in the pool is only part of what he brings to the team. As described by fellow swimmer Keefer Kohlie, he is “super kind and friendly”. Another teammate, Akshay Thakur adds, “He will always hype you up and make you laugh if you are nervous before a race.” Outside of swimming, Sean used to run cross country and track for the Hawks. He now enjoys playing video games, eating Chipotle, teaching younger kids how to swim at the YMCA, and spending time with friends. His hobbies include Pokémon and collecting Pokémon cards, as well as woodworking, where he enjoys building whatever interests him at the moment. His favorite quote is “a tree falls the way it leans, be careful which way you lean” from The Lorax. He believes that your habits and decisions determine the person that you will become.
Sean has certainly made a lasting impact on the Hawks swimming team over the course of his years at JP Stevens and will be greatly missed by both teammates and coaches After graduating from JP Stevens, he aspires to pursue a career in computer science, and do his best to succeed in his field. With his warm and friendly nature combined with his disciplined and hardworking mindset, the sky is the limit for Sean as he prepares to dive into the next chapter of his life.
