For Abby Nguyen, the motivation starts from within.

"There is the little person on my shoulder who is always pushing me," said the senior Whitehall swimmer. "I have had some great coaches who are always guiding me along, but it really comes down to me.

"I wanted to come out for swimming three years ago, and I knew it would be a lot of work. I had swum in the past, but I finally decided to try out for the high school team. It was a huge adjustment at first, but I knew I had to keep going."

This season, Nguyen is within striking distance of qualifying for the upcoming district meet. She has been competing in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, as well as a member of the team's 200 and 400 medley relay teams.

In a recent meet against Stroudsburg, Nguyen won the 200 freestyle in a time of 2.17.19 and she also was a part of the winning 200 and 400 relay teams.

It was last season in her junior year that Nguyen felt totally comfortable with her new surroundings.

"When I first started, it really was a matter of getting my breathing patterns down and getting adjusted to being underwater for so long," recalled Nguyen. "Last year, I felt better with everything and I really started to think about qualifying for districts.

"This season, I feel like it is coming all together for me."

Nguyen also has benefitted from the close camaraderie of her teammates.

"This season had been great," she stated. "We really all support each other on this team and it does help. When we have the whole team together, we have some big numbers. But there is a great support system here."

Head coach Pete Rile has watched Nguyen mature through the years.

"She has come a long way," said the veteran coach. "She should qualify for districts and that will be a big mark for her. Abby (Nguyen) has worked hard to become an integral part of this team."

Nguyen plans to attend Bloomsburg University next fall to pursue a degree in special education with a minor in elementary education. She believes her swimming career will end this winter, and could possibly try out for her other sport, softball, there.

Whatever she does, Nguyen plans to keep herself motivated.