Broken Arrow’s Lydia Roberts

By Bryce McKinnis

Lydia Roberts is learning what many excellent high school athletes learn in the second half of their varsity careers: that her ability to lead is just as crucial to the Broken Arrow High School swim team’s success as her performance in the pool.

“My friends have always been in my corner, and my coaches have pushed me to be a better leader,” the BAHS senior said. “I’ve learned that you have to build a connection with people, first, in order to be a good leader to them.”

A youth athlete with exceptional focus, Roberts has already demonstrated leadership in several arenas. She’s involved with FCCLA, NHS and AP Club.

“I’m also very involved with and do a lot of events for my church,” Roberts said. “As far as hobbies, I love hiking, camping and paddle boarding.”

Roberts’ athletic career took its soft launch in swim lessons until she was about 13 years old.

“I wanted to join the swim team in high school, and my friend, Lily, convinced me to do tryouts in eighth grade,” Roberts said. “I fell in love with it and have been doing it since. My proudest accomplishment so far has been making varsity.”

Roberts is, “first and foremost, a Christian.” She describes her leadership style as more “behind-the-scenes,” rather than outspoken. She wants to build a culture of mutual respect.

“That comes before anything else,” Roberts said. “Honestly, I do think that my faith plays a big role in how I conduct myself with others and lead on the team. I always try to have empathy and consider everyone’s feelings about everything. I have found myself to be a good listener and usually pretty humble in the sport, but I have a hard time telling people what to do because I don’t want to make it seem like I think I am better than others. I try my best to include everyone because I don’t see anyone’s opinions, including my own, as greater than someone else’s.”

That belief guides her and, she hopes, her teammates.

“I’ve found the best way to build connections on the team is by being intentional about engaging with conversation before and after practices with anyone and everyone, not just conversing with the same people every day or keeping to myself,” Roberts said. “Having a positive attitude and being eager to talk to everyone is important. We’re all equal in the sight of the Lord.”

Swim has also taught Roberts that she is capable of much more than she realized. In her own words, it’s not just about what you do, “but how you do it.”

“I’ve learned that hard work does pay off, and you are in control of how things work out for you,” Roberts said. “I hope to leave the legacy of being a good teammate who encouraged others to do their best and helped make a good team environment. I really just want my teammates to remember me with a lot of fun stories and good things to say.”

After high school, Roberts intends to attend college to pursue travel nursing.