Swim

school she was exhausted the next day, tired and sore, it was very intense.”

The therapy got DeMarcus where she was able to get on crutches, which she now uses daily at school.

“We have a great video of her walking into her social studies class the first time,” said Burnett before continuing. “Its great to watch someone grow like that, and not just in an academic way.”

While the crutches were new, being a student athlete wasn’t as she had already competed with Little Sluggers baseball, and wheel chair races in track.

“Swimming was when they realized she could use her body,” said Burnett.

Swimming had a family connection as Ava’s Mom was also a swimmer.

“Katy was very excited. She told me she was a swimmer and that it was important for me to see her and that it was important. She never thought that it would be able to happen,” said Burnett. Not only could Ava swim, but she was good enough to qualify for state. When she was on her way to state and had to leave school early to do so, she received a ‘clap-out’.

“It’s when all the students line up in the hallways, the classmates clap them out and hype them up as they leave,” said Burnett.

Talking to Ava, she’ll tell you that her favorite sport is track, but that she enjoys swimming as well.

“I learn about myself. I love going into the water,” said DeMarcus when asked about what she likes about the sport. She said she was excited when she qualified for state as well

“My coach was in the water with me when I first started,” said DeMarcus. “As she got better, there was no coach, and no floaties,” said Burnett. “I was happy I could do it myself without help.”

When she is in the water, DeMarcus said that it is a different feeling.

“I feel happy, like I can do anything when I’m in there,” said DeMarcus. Burnett explained that when DeMarcus is in the water, her legs don’t hurt, but that her arms do get tired from swimming.

After all that hard work, when DeMarcus got to state, she said it was an adventure.

“I went with mom, dad, nanna, Elaina, she’s my older sister.

It was good going there with the family,” said DeMarcus. While she was there, there was also a dance the night before, and opportunities. “I made some friends and want to go back and see them again.”

When it was time to swim, DeMarcus finished in third place in the 25 Meter Freestyle with a time of one minute and six seconds. DeMarcus said she is happy with how she finished, and wants to keep trying next year. As we finished the interview I asked DeMarcus if she thinks she can win it all next year, to which she replied “I think I can.”