Neeti Prasad

 

Swimming: In 2012, I swam for the Dayton Raiders Swim team. I always loved the feel of the cold water against my body, as I took every stroke. My favorite stroke was butterfly, though it is considered the hardest stroke to perform. Although I stopped swimming years ago, I can still feel the water and remember what it felt like to move through the water with every stroke. It is a good thing that I learned how to swim because it becomes handy whenever I flip my boat in rowing! 

 

Cross Country: In 2015, I participated in Cross Country with the Beavercreek Middle School team. At the start of the season, I took 25 minutes to run 2 miles. I took it as a challenge and by the end of the season, I brought my time down to 16 minutes. I later carried these skills to the middle school Track & Field team.

 

Track & Field: In 2016, I ran Track & Field with the Beavercreek Middle School team. I was a sprinter as well as a hurdler. In track, hurdles was a new event that I tried out. I found that hurdles tested my mental strength. There were countless times when I fell and felt like I could not get over another hurdle. With motivation and persistence, I practiced to improve my form and to finish the race. 

 

Rowing: In 2016, I started rowing with the Greater Dayton Rowing Association. I am currently rowing with Dayton Boat Club. When I started rowing, I didn't know what to expect but I soon fell in love with the sport. From the trees that I row under, to the sound of the water underneath, with the people I row with, and with the movement of the oars, I enjoy every second that I spend rowing. I have raced a single, double, quad, four, and eight.

 

Dance: A constant in my life has been dancing. Although I was not formally trained in dance, it was always a pastime, bringing me closer to my Indian heritage. Through dance, I can express myself as I leave my comfort zone to demonstrate my energy with power and grace. Dancing is often a social activity, from casual parties to formal productions; however, dancing has always been private for me. While I have choreographed dances and performed them for fun, I enjoy it most when it is just me in an empty room, as music fills my headphones and I imagine the stage and the lights.