In some sports, including swimming, some athletes start at a young age. For Copper Hills swimmer Hayley Bachman, it wasn’t until middle school when she started swimming competitively. 

Since then, she has taken off. 

Bachman quickly earned high praise and recognition for her efforts in the pool. As a young seventh grader, she had lofty goals for herself and her swimming career. 

“I started swimming competitively in seventh grade after I was told I had a lot of ‘natural talent,’” she said. “At my first swim meet, I got four ribbons, and I was basically convinced that I was the next Olympian. Silly 12-year-old Hayley.”

While she might not make a U.S. Olympic squad, the Copper Hills senior has been one of the team’s steadiest, most reliable swimmers. She also has a positive attitude and outlook, which comes in handy for a sport as grueling as swimming. She is also someone that other team members can look to as an example and go to for support and encouragement. 

“I think I bring a lot of kindness and compassion to the team,” Bachman said. “Swimming is not an easy sport, and sometimes it is super hard mentally. I think that I am a good shoulder for anyone to lean on.”

Speaking of shoulders, Bachman has dealt with pain in this area, as she has experienced tendonitis and bursitis during her career. Fortunately, with some physical therapy, the discomfort has subsided significantly this year. 

In the pool, Bachman has been a standout performer, particularly in the 50-yard freestyle event. Her time of 25:30 is the fastest girls time at Copper Hills in the last few seasons. She is also working hard in the 100 freestyle event.

“I’m continuing to work on a positive attitude toward the 100 freestyle,” she said. “My freshman year, I got an all-time low of a 54.94, and three years later I have still not made it back down to a 54. I am hoping it will happen this season, but I am trying not to have the mindset that my 100 free peaked freshman year.”

This season, Bachman has high hopes in another event: the 100 backstroke. She is also optimistic that the girls team canset some school records.

“My goal for this season is to get the girls’ 100 backstroke school record,” she said. “It is a 1:03.66, and last year my best time ever was a 1:04.61. I have been working super hard on my backstroke and my backstroke dives in practice, and I really hope to achieve this goal. As far as my goal for the team, I would love for our girls’ medley relay team to also get the school record. We have some awesome swimmers this year, and I think it is so achievable. This would be especially meaningful for me, because I would then be a part of all three girls’ school relay records. I hope everyone on the team swims the best swims they are able to this season.”

To achieve these goals, Bachman knows that she and her teammates need to not only work hard and put in the time and effort at practice, but they need to think positively. The mental aspect of swimming can be equally as important as the physical work it takes to be successful. 

“For the season to be successful for myself and for my team, I think we need to continue to focus on having positive self-talk about swim practice and our races, and overall just continue to work hard and try our best,” she said.

Bachman loves competing on the Copper Hills team. She said the Grizzlies have swimmers of all talent and experience levels. This variety makes being on the team enjoyable and rewarding. She also said everyone supports and roots for one another, whether a swimmer has been competing for years or just got into the pool for the first time this season. 

“The best thing about swimming for Copper Hills is that it brings together experienced swimmers and people who have just gotten into the sport,” she said. “No matter what level you are at, we always find a way to work together and cheer each other on. Our team does a great job at cheering for our swimmers.”

High school can fly by, and Bachman is grateful for her experience on the Copper Hills team and for everything she has learned from swimming. Still, she knows the sport doesn’t define her, but it’s just something she does. 

When considering whether to continue swimming competitively at the collegiate level, Bachman spoke with many Division II and Division III coaches. However, she wanted to stay home in Utah and decided to attend Utah State University, where she will enroll in the fall. Bachman will be a psychology major. Though Utah State doesn’t have an NCAA-sanctioned swim team, it does have a College Club swim team, and Bachman is slated to be a part of the club. She is eager to continue her swimming career as an Aggie. 

“When touring USU Logan, I actually got the opportunity to swim with their swim team,” she said. “It is going to be a great fit for me, and I am super excited.”

The Grizzlies will continue to compete against Region 2 foes this season, leading up to the Class 6A state meet. This will take place Feb. 23 and 24 at Brigham Young University. λ