Orange Lutheran sophomore Joshua Deng didn't take the most traditional path to becoming a competitive swimmer. When his parents enrolled him in swim lessons at age six, he enjoyed being out on the soccer pitch more than he enjoyed being in the pool.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Deng wasn't able to play soccer, but he was able to swim, and over that period of time, he developed a love for the sport.
"I love it because it provides great mental and physical benefits," says Deng of swim. "I'm kind of an individual person. So while I love soccer…I feel like an individual sport helped me honed my own talents and abilities."
Deng's stroke specialty is the breaststroke and it is his goal to break the school record in the 100 breaststroke event. He also competes in the individual medley races (IM). This year, he represented the Lancers at the CIF Prelims meet in the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay, and he qualified for the CIF D2 Finals meet in the 200 medley relay with teammates Andrew He, Brian Marinescu and Cooper Calderon.
"Joshua is one of those driven athletes that is not afraid to take direction and do what it takes to be better," says OLu boys swim associate head coach Matt Smith. "He is a pleasure to have on the team and is dedicated to his sport."
Deng also competes on a club swim team, but he enjoys the high school competition and takes pride in swimming for the Lancers.
"Representing my high school provides extra motivation," says the two-year varsity swimmer. "With swimming, it's really just times, but being able to actually represent my school and showcase my school's talents, I feel it just provides a little bit more pressure. And I really like that."
Keeping up with consistent training, especially during the months of Covid lockdown, took its toll on Deng at different points in time. But he credits his commitment to swim for helping him develop the perseverance and discipline that he not only applies to the sport but to all areas of his life.
"Swim is such a challenging sport, physically and mentally," says Deng. "I remember when I was 11 and 12 (years old). Every time I started swimming in that pool, coach would just throw out some rigorous sets. I was so fatigued, in my head I was saying I'm going to quit. But every day I kept going because I started to love the sport. And I feel like that has given me perseverance, which no other sport gives me."
Away from the pool, Deng is a member of the Wood Shop Club on campus and has enjoyed working on building projects that support the underprivileged in our community. The 15-year old has also been involved with the Boys Scouts for most of his life and is in the process of working on his Eagle Scout Award.
"The Cub Scouts really molded my passion for Boy Scouts…and it gave me a sense of leadership and individualism," says Deng. "I've learned a lot of valuable things, and I feel like it's shaped my leadership skills."
Deng's future plans include a strong interest in sports medicine and physical therapy. One of his most significant role models is the best the world has ever seen in the pool, Michael Phelps, an athlete he admires for his commitment, grit and determination.
And despite the ups and downs the sport of swimming can bring, Deng leans on his faith with the knowledge that God has a perfect plan in place for his life.
"You have meets where you do great and then meets where you just do terrible, and I used to get mad at myself for that," says Deng. "But through my journey with Christ, I've realized that it's all the journey. Christ has everything planned out for me…I know everything that happens is in his hands."
