One of the greatest joys of arriving home from school is relaxing, grabbing a snack, or hanging out with friends before embarking on arduous work. For senior and student-athlete Will Moriarty, this is a delicacy he rarely indulges in. The NAHS swim team, which Moriarty has been on since his freshman year, practices in the evening at Chastain Park, making it a challenge for him to plan compared to others who practice immediately after school. This time management skill has proven beneficial to him, even though it, most of the time, seems impossible.

Upon returning home, Moriarty begins to chip away at the mountain of homework he has each night, complimentary of the International Baccalaureate program offered to juniors and seniors. With three or four IB classes per day, work adds up rapidly, making it easy to get behind in a class or two. Knowing he only has about two hours before getting ready for practice, Moriarty feels the pressure to complete everything then and there. “My workload seems never ending sometimes,” he said. “Nevertheless, I’ve learned I should finish my tasks before practice while still having the motivation and energy.”

On the sports front, Moriarty is an eleven-year swimmer and has made it to the state championships in his four years on the team. His signature event, the 100-yard butterfly, is dreaded by many and requires intense training and technique work. Practice lasts an hour and a half from Monday through Thursday, and depending on the amount of work put in; it can be extremely draining. “I think my work ethic in school reflects how I perform in the pool,” he said. “Every night, I give it my all, and I never get tired of that feeling.”

The art of time management is challenging to master and even harder to maintain. The IB program, known for its rigor in preparation for college, has been a focus of Moriarty’s life since his junior year. Now that he is a senior, he knows that his hard work is necessary- grades, standardized tests, and athletics- will shape his post-high school life from this point forward. “Now that I’m a senior, it’s my responsibility to set an example for the rest of the team,” he said. “Knowing how to deal with pressure from school and sports allows me to see where I need to improve, and I can pass that advice on to others.”

With his final season underway, Moriarty has already shown his dedication to the sport by qualifying for state in the 100-yard butterfly at the season’s first meet. Fans and his fellow teammates can feel his motivating presence on the team. This year, stakes are raised, and Moriarty’s chances of success are higher than ever.