Victoria Heppner is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Shadow Ridge High School for AZPreps365.com. 

The Shadow Ridge swim team had no idea what it would gain when Yume Takahashi decided to join the program.

A sophomore, Takahashi is breaking school and personal records left and right and the crazy thing is, she has lived in the United States for only 11 months.

Takahashi and her family moved to the United States last year from Japan and she since has made a huge impact on Shadow Ridge's swim team.

Takahashi and the rest of the team recently competed in their state qualifying meet, in which she earned two first-place individual medals, along with two second-place relay medals.

Takahashi poses with her medals from the district region meet (photo courtesy of Amanda Norton). 

Takahashi joined the team after coach Amanda Norton, who also is her ELL (English language learner) teacher, asked if she would be interested.

Norton was stoked to hear that Takahashi was interested in joining the swim team and that she had experience in Japan.

Takahashi knew that she would make friends through something that was so familiar to her in a life that was so foreign.

Although Takahashi’s first language is Japanese, she has improved her English skills, allowing her to grow closer to teammates.

“She has bonded with the kids,” Norton said. "Her language skills have improved greatly with her being around her teammates all the time.”

Takahashi (far left) celebrates after winning a second place medal with her relay team (photo courtesy of Amanda Norton). 

Takahashi is thankful to learn English from her teammates and she also has taught her teammates Japanese words as well.

The language barrier may seem like a major setback for Takahashi, but during practices and meets, Takahashi’s focus is beyond language and more on her goals at each meet.

“Her biggest goal is to break her own record every time she competes,” Norton said, “and she has been able to do it every single time.”

Takahashi is zoned in every time she gets in that water and nothing can stop her from being the best version of herself. She has broken her personal record every time she competes.

She is so determined in everything she does, whether it be in swimming or in learning a new language, and she fights to achieve all her goals.

“Swimming is like an endless game, because when I reach my goal, I make a new one again,” Takahashi said. “This means it is hard but it gets me going when I get a good time.”

She embraces the challenge that swimming presents to her and her biggest competitor is always herself.

Takahashi swimming the freestlye stroke (photo courtesy of Amanda Norton). 

Takahashi finds inspiration from other swimmers, saying she knows there is always room to improve.

“Swimmers that swim faster than me,” Takahashi said when asked what inspires her. “I do not like losing, so my feeling is that I want to swim faster than them next time and become stronger.”

Takahashi not only credits other swimmers for driving her to success, she also had high praise for her parents who dedicate their time and efforts to ensure Takahashi is at practice and meets on time. They also encourage her when she swims.

Takahashi, along with athletic director Matthew Kuffel, thanked her coaches for helping her adjust to swimming in the United States and adjusting her form to make her more successful when she competes.

“From day one, they have instituted a plan of action that requires kids to dedicate themselves to the team,” Kuffel said. “The kids have bought in and now see the success of their hard work.”

Although Takahashi loves to swim and thrives on competition, her biggest desire in life lies way beyond her success in swimming.

“I want the ability to speak and understand English better than the first prize in swimming,” Takahashi said. “I sent Santa Claus a message that I want the ability to speak English very well, but he gave me Airpods last year, instead.”

Takahashi expressed her desire to be immersed in the English language and to fit in with her peers at Shadow Ridge.

Being on the swim team has allowed her to not only make good friends, but also practice and improve her English skills and feed her competitive side through participating in meets.

Takahashi continues to break records and tear down barriers that hold her back while being on the swim team and this is only the beginning for her.

Takahashi most likely will qualify to compete in the state competition with her school and has the opportunity to win big at state.