STURGIS — Ainsley Gump is the first one in the pool at practices.
The water may be cold to start out, but she throws her swim cap on, places her goggles in place and hops into the pool. In leading by example, Gump strives to be the best she can be each and every time. It's helped her get to this point in life, which can be full of stresses normal teenagers face on a daily basis. Practice takes place, the Sturgis swim and dive team chats about what is ahead and practice comes to a close.
When it's complete, Gump is the last one out of the locker room as well.
It may sound like a cliche, and maybe it is. But when it comes to a routine, Gump said it all comes with the territory. Being a good teammate is high on her list of attributes she has grown proud of and while she may not like the attention, it's all part of the deal.
"The kids look up to her, her teammates like the fact she's approachable and she relates to them," Sturgis swim coach Lisa Gottschalk said. "They understand her and I think that's a good thing. She's really gown to Earth, she is not one to downgrade anybody. You can see that she is always looking to help and make her teammates better."
A senior now, it may feel like Gump has been with the Sturgis swim program forever. It is the only varsity sport she has competed in at Sturgis and she has become one with being in the pool. Her story is not one of being a good swimmer since she was born, it's come with work ethic, a drive to get better and some talent as well.
Gump and swimming are synonymous. It just makes sense.
"I have really just loved it, I've done it so much, I think it's just a part of me," she said. "It's just what I do."
The goal for the Gumps has been for her to swim at the collegiate level. Many would understand this approach, but Gump said making the decision and getting to that point in life were not easy things to check off her list. She has a lot going on with school and other things outside of swimming — juggling it all can be difficult.
But she feeds off that.
"I like the grind, there are certainly days where I don't love swimming and all that comes with it — definitely some rough days," she said. "But I like the grind. I like having to push myself to get better, helping my teammates get better. I like being comfortable with the uncomfortable in life."
At the next level, the Sturgis senior has options. When student-athletes ultimately make their college decisions, they often times just 'know' they're going to end up on a campus when they take visits. Gump said she is still looking for that perfect moment. Her group has gone on quite a few college visits to date, but the certainty of being in one particular place is still out there for her to experience.
The list of colleges is long. But that list might grow even bigger if she continues to improve on her times in the pool. Gump and her collection of supporters have made trips all over the place for visits to schools. But one particular school has not come to the forefront just yet.
"I haven't fully had that moment where, like, you just know," she said. "There are still some other options out there for me. I'm still a senior and not done here yet, I'm going to be swimming in the winter as well and I'm not quite sure what that's gonna look like yet. If I drop some time, a whole new world of schools is going to open up for me as well. So I'm really just waiting to see what I'm at once this season is done and go from there."
Gump said she wants to study sports management at the next level. When it comes to her studies in high school, Gump has a handful of online classes, some electives this year and is currently enrolled in AP Calculus. Her teachers are understanding of her time and commitment to things outside the classroom as well, most notably her time spent at the recent St. Joseph County Grange Fair, where she showed her animals — and her prized steer — once again.
But she is also thinking about being a coach. A swim coach, obviously.
"I really love helping people in practice and seeing them meet their goals and accomplishments," she said.
Gump and the Lady Trojans have registered some wins this year. She has tons of first-place finishes and state-qualifying times. She owns school and pool records, feeding off the adrenaline from the crowd when she competes. The atmosphere at events, she said, even the small ones, make a difference for her.
And when she isn't competing in the pool and her Trojan colleagues are, Gump is right there to cheer them on. Being a good supporter of her partners in the pool is important. It's about being a leader.
"I like to think I'm a good teammate. A lot of things go into that, it's just not being nice to everybody. I think it's more of the fact that I'm able to lead the team by not putting off the 'I'm better than you' but leading the team in a respectful leadership way," she said. "I love my teammates. I love seeing them compete and reach their goals."
The prep swim and dive season is coming to a close. It is going to be the final one for Gump in a Trojan suit and the options coming at her for the next level remain open, for now. The MHSAA state finals will see Gump compete yet again — she can swim two individual events and two relay events per state rules.
She'll have options for which races she competes in as well. But for sure, the 200 medley relay will be together at the state finals. Being with her teammates is a priority. Swimming often times can be an individual sport which makes up a team, but Gump has always enjoyed being with her fellow swimmers.
The Division 3 state finals on the campus of Oakland University will be where it all ends for Gump while donning the orange and black for Sturgis. They're set to take place November 20-21 next month.
"She is absolutely going to be successful wherever she goes and in whatever she does," Gottschalk said. "She has really been a blessing for us, she works so hard and I think that shows with how her teammates see her."
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Ainsley Gump's SHS career is winding down — but it has not closed just yet