Livin’ the Swim Life

Cap on, goggles down. 

You observe your surroundings. Your heartbeat begins to skyrocket. The adrenaline is pumping more than you can even fathom. As the ref calls for marks, you get set. You’ve done this a hundred times, but it still feels like no other moment before. You prepare your dive: 3, 2, 1 *beep*. 

This has been the life of LEE High School’s Thane Cardon for more than 10 years. In the pool, Cardon competes in the 200m butterfly, 100m butterfly, and 400m individual medley (IM). If you know anything about swimming, then you know those are known for being the hardest races to master. However, beyond the pool, Cardon is not one dimensional. He exemplifies the future of a great contributor to our society, and serves as a role model to all those around him.

Outside The Pool

Cardon attends the Science Technology Engineering and Math Academy (STEM) at LEE High School as a Junior. He joined STEM in Middle school, following the program into its high school branch. Not only is he a top student in the prestigious program, but he’s also incredibly involved in its extracurricular scene. He actively participates in STEM Ambassadors, which is a student-led group of the students who best exemplify the STEM core values of leadership, respect, community, integrity, perseverance, and compassion. Only a handful of students from each grade are selected to be a part of the club, and Cardon is among them.

One of the biggest appeals of STEM is the ability to get a certification in your chosen field of science, technology, engineering, and manufacturing. Most students chose to only focus on one specific pathway during their time at STEM, but Cardon is one of the very few students that take on the challenge of dual pathways in technology and engineering. He looks to get both certifications this year, and hopes to then get an IBC (Industry Based Certification) for an internship next year in one of those fields. So when I asked Cardon how he balances swimming and excelling in academics, he responded with this advice: “I try to focus on one thing at a time.”

With all of his academic, extracurricular, and sports involvements, one might think he’s not a chill guy, but they would be mistaken. One of Cardon’s closest friends, Barron Broome, can attest to him being a great person. “He’s just a fun person to be around and talk to. He brings positive energy to the room” Broome said. Cardon is the type of person to always lend a helping hand, not just his friends, but anyone who needs it. Whether it’s an assignment or relationship advice, Cardon is always the guy to ask.

The Beginning

Cardon began his swim journey when he was just 6 years old. It was a summer league that taught the basics of competitive swimming. Cardon’s inspiration in life, his mom, encouraged him to join swimming at such a young age, but Cardon would soon find passion and love for the sport. And looking at where he is now, I think it’s safe to say that Ms. Cardon made the right decision by encouraging him to do it.

Why swim?

Not exactly the most popular or renowned sport in the U.S., I questioned why he continued to be so drawn to swim. I mean, he is not a one trick pony by any means. When he was younger, he also played soccer, basketball, and ran track. So, I was intrigued why he chose to swim from amongst the bunch. I asked Cardon the question directly and he responded: “ I chose swimming because of the community that surrounds it with great people, a great environment, great coaches, and I just loved all of it compared to the other sports.” Cardon did not choose a popular sport with everyone else, he chose a sport that he truly loved and that could provide community and skills beyond just the pool. Cardon says “it helped me learn to commit to something,” and that he sure did.

Dedication 

Sticking to something long term is not easy, especially something as demanding as a sport. This being said, Cardon proves how much hard work can benefit you in the long run. “Eventually, when I was old enough, around like 12 years old, I learned to make my commitments and committed to the sport of swimming.” From there on, he has stuck relentlessly with the sport ever since. He practices four hours a day, two in the morning, two in the evening six days a week. On top of this, he also has to maintain his status as a great student. Suffice to say, he has no free time during the week. “Umm on weekdays, no I do not have any free time. But on Saturdays, if I do not have a swim meet, those are my free days.” One day a week for free time. That is pure dedication to the thing he loves.

Victory

At the 2025 Regional 7-6A Championship finals, Cardon received a third place medal for the 100 Fly competition. After all the hard work and continuous dedication, Cardon achieved something that not many others can even fathom in such a competitive sport. This punched him a ticket to the state championship as a junior.

“It was amazing,” he said when asked how he felt at that moment. “I was really scared leading up to all my races but I overcame it and got the job done.” Cardon’s performance placed him first in the district. Plus, he received a new PR for the event.

Future

The future is a very scary thing, and many have no idea where they are gonna be in one year, let alone 10. Cardon, though, when asked where he would be in 10 years, said: “I see myself swimming , but not for competitions or anything, but just to stay in shape. Also graduated from college onto a job that supports my family.” An answer that essential rules out high level competition swimming beyond college. When asked if he has any offers regarding swimming he said: “Right now a couple colleges have reached out to me but they’re mostly D2 and I don’t really want to compete D2, so I’m seeing how my high school season as a junior goes. Hopefully after I reach out to some colleges and they reach back out to me and maybe get some visits and hopefully some scholarships then I’ll know.”

Cardon’s dream college is BYU and is hoping that he can swim there. Thane’s sisters attend BYU, so hope to follow the trend not just for swimming but for his professional career as well.

Motivation

Cardon hopes others will follow his footsteps in swimming as “it is great for your body, great for your health, and great for your mental health.” Another reason he believes it’s important is because it’s hard. Cardon thought of quitting swim freshman year as he failed expectations in the biggest swim meet of the year, but he never gave up. He got back up, took it on the chin, took his two week break and he was better than ever. Now, two years later, he’s on his way to state. If someone who has dedicated their entire life to a sport can consider quitting but chooses to get back up, then you can do it too. No matter what obstacles you have in your path to success, Cardon advises that you always keep going.

Waking up at 4:50 am every morning for 5 years straight to jump in a freezing cold pool isn’t just to swim or get faster times, it’s setting up how you want to be for the rest of your life. Are you gonna be someone that puts their heart and soul into something to better their life, to succeed, to make your parents proud? Or are you gonna be someone who quits when your journey is just beginning. 

From the classroom, to his friends, to his family, and to the pool, Thane Cardon is the living definition of no matter how much life throws at you, anything is possible with dedication and hard work. So even if he lost that race when it was all said and done, even if he may be pissed that he didn’t meet his expectations, it doesn’t matter. It’s these moments that make us even better and will continue to make people all around the world the best version of themselves. Just like Thane Cardon.