This article was written by communications intern Alisha Bhandari.

This article was featured in Living in Singapore magazine by the American Association of Singapore.

Collin Schuster, a senior at Singapore American School, qualified for the 100m backstroke this summer at the US Junior Nationals. According to SAS swim coach, Aaron Gray, Schuster’s preliminary swim was his best, and this was when he qualified for the Olympic trials. It is a great achievement for a high school student, since the US qualifying trials are considered to be one of the fastest meets in the world.

Due to this huge accomplishment, colleges all over the US are eager to recruit Schuster to attend their schools and be a member of their swim teams. This was made possible because of his incredible work ethic and rigorous practice schedule. He does nine swimming sessions each week, an hour and 45 minutes each, and two and a half hours on Saturdays. Speaking of the swim training culture at SAS, Schuster says, “Being a part of the SAS swim team and SAS community has helped me grow in numerous ways as both an athlete and a person. I feel the atmosphere has been very conducive to helping me become the best swimmer I can be. It’s great to have other talented teammates who share the same goals and aspirations. We push each other through all the hard practices and we support one another through hardships. Even though swimming is an individual sport, having a supportive team that gets along well and encourages each other is key to getting better as a team.”

Along with his swim schedule, he also does a lot of gym work; three sessions a week, one hour each. His school training sessions are six days a week on top of his practice sessions outside of school. In total, he swims around 20 hours a week. Even when he goes back to the US, he is still working, where he trains with a small swimming club to ensure he stays in shape.

Recently, Schuster signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. While we mainly focus on Schuster’s personal achievements, we have to take into account his parents’ sacrifice and continuous support. Schuster’s mother, Donna Schuster, drives him and his brother, Connor, to practice twice each day during their summer holiday. During the summer, they spend almost four hours a day driving in addition to the time they spend at the pool. It’s not only a huge commitment for the swimmers but it is also one for their parents, both who teach full time at SAS.

SAS swim coach, Aaron Gray, explains, “The Schusters live their lives around the swimming schedule and swim meets that Collin attends each summer.” Schuster adds, “I am grateful for being a part of such a wonderful community that helps with everything behind the scenes. From my wonderfully supportive parents who have helped me along every step of the way, to my teachers who have guided my academic journey, to my coach, Aaron Gray, who has encouraged and pushed me to be the best I can be, I know I wouldn’t have reached my goals in the pool without these members of the SAS community behind me.”

Schuster hasn’t had any time off swimming for a number of years, practicing every day pretty much non-stop. He is proof that perseverance, determination, and dedication will lead you to success. No matter what your personal passion is, just keep swimming!