Asphalt Green’s Swim for the Future Scholarship was created in honor of two Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics (AGUA) Masters swim team members—Andrew Fisher and Doug Irgang—who tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Scholarships are awarded to talented youth AGUA Swim Team members with financial need.
This year, AGUA swimmer Krystal Lara, 16, received the Swim for the Future Scholarship for the second year in a row. Read below to learn more about this talented swimmer.
Name: Krystal Lara
Age: 16
School: Stuyvesant High School, Junior
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Mom’s rice and beans
Favorite Sports Team: AGUA Swim Team
Member of AGUA Swim Team For: 1.5 years
Q: What is it like being a part of the AGUA Swim Team?
A: It’s been great! I love my coaches, swim practices, everything.
Q: There are some other Lara’s on the AGUA Swim Team, who are they?
A: I am the oldest. My sister Tiffany is 15 and my brother Austin is 9 (going on 10).
Q: What is it like being the oldest sibling on the team?
A: They all look up to me; they know I am really fast. I think they want to follow in my footsteps and be able to train with the National group.
Q: How did you get into swimming?
A: I started swimming when I was around six at a Parks and Recreation swim program. They taught me how to swim there and noticed I was good and said I should join the team. That is how I started to swim competitively.
Q: As a junior in high school, how do you handle the demand of school and being a part of AGUA Swim Team?
A: I use all of the free time I have whether it’s on the bus going to school or coming to Asphalt Green for AGUA. Sometimes I also do my homework before practice and I’ll use the weekends to catch up on SAT prep.
Q: What significance has the Swim for the Future Scholarship had for you?
A: I’m very thankful for this scholarship because it has given me the opportunity to swim here with AGUA, one of the best swim teams on the east coast. I love it here. It’s been a great opportunity for my family and me.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be part of the AGUA Swim Team and is thinking of applying for a Swim for the Future Scholarship?
A: If you love swimming then go for it. There is a saying that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. So if you love swimming and you are passionate about it then go for it!