Pinion, a Bearden High School junior, has overcome adversity to become a whiz in the water. Pinion was officially diagnosed in the sixth grade with CAPD—central auditory processing disorder. Swimming focused Pinion over the years, and after a great 2010-2011 season, he was selected as the Southeastern Swimmer of the Year. Still on a high from skyrocketing to 19th in the world after the FINA World Junior Championships in Peru this summer, he now has his sights on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.
When did you first learn how to swim? My mother is a swimmer and I started lessons when I was 4 years old. My mother was a sprinter and really good at breaststroke—quite the opposite of me.
Why has the breaststroke been so difficult to master? It is the most uncomfortable stroke for me. It will always be a constant work in progress for me. I am much better at freestyle and distant events.
What is your daily routine? I practice Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday in the evenings from 4:30 to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 7:30 to 10 a.m. I do pace work (a workout specifically designed to train swimmers to hold a set time/pace on each lap, which ultimately predicts a finish time), sprints, and interval training.
Which of your competitions stands out? Peru, because it was much bigger than a national competition. There were lots of fans who were eager to get in to watch. Some were even climbing the fences. It is always a great honor to represent the United States.
How do you maintain your studies and stay motivated to practice? I just push through it. I keep long-range goals as my motivation and reward. Nothing comes fast and easy. My mother has always told me to persevere, especially on those days when things seem to be working against me. I have no regrets, and I still do fun high school stuff, like football games, dances, and dates.
Do you have any rituals before a meet? I don’t really have any. I just relax, have fun, and let things fall where they do. There is one thing I never wear—a swim cap—in any of my races. But my coach told me in Peru that was going to change and it did.
Who are your greatest mentors? Both of my coaches at Pilot Aquatic Club—my past swimming coach, Marshall Goldman, and my current coach, former UT all-American swimmer Jim Rumbaugh. Marshall broke the auditory processing disorder and ADD barriers for me. He was the first person that really learned how to talk to me. I haven’t looked back. Jim gives me a lot of positive praise that keeps me motivated.
Who is your swimming idol? American middle-distance freestyle swimmer and three-time Olympic medalist Peter Vanderkaay. He is a phenomenal distance swimmer.
As a child, what did you dream of becoming? A veterinarian. Now I am thinking I will be a swim coach one day. In five years, I hope to be a college graduate and participating in the 2016 Olympics.
— Chandra Harris-McCray
