Stepping out of the locker room, it’s obvious that freshman Leslie Roberson is not a rookie to the pool. With her strong swimmer’s build, towering height and broad shoulders, at a glance you can tell that she’s a natural. If not, the smell of chlorine usually gives it away.

Roberson began swimming lessons at a young age “so she wouldn’t drown in the pool.” At age seven, she joined a swim team at the insistence of her teacher. Now eight years later she is training to swim at the U.S. Open in December, and is potentially set to swim at the Olympic Time Trials next year.

“Leslie is a great addition to varsity this year,” said assistant coach Autumn Gray. “She definitely shows that it’s not all about age.”

This season Roberson has district-qualifying times in all eight individual events. In accordance with the meet rules, an individual is permitted to swim in two individual events and two relays per competition. Because of these rules, she will have to decide between swimming in the 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, and 100-yd butterfly to achieve her modest goal of “placing at state.”

Roberson has adapted well to high school swimming. “Swimming at Garfield is just more fun than club,” said Roberson. “We don’t cry or throw-up after high school practices.” She practices with her club Salmon Bay nine times per week, in addition to five practices with Garfield.

“I do homework between classes, during lunch, and in the car, because I’m always going to practice,” said Roberson. Her course schedule parallels her hard work in the pool. Taking both Spanish and Latin, among other honors classes, her homework load is more than substantial.

Between practice and school, Roberson is left with little time to do much else. “When I get a break, I take advantage of it and enjoy it so much because it doesn’t come often,” said Roberson.

Even with all of the work she has to do everyday, Roberson never complains. “She never stops working,” said teammate Theresa Clemmons. “She always has a positive attitude, that’s why everyone likes her.”