Five NCAA athletes are spending their summer breaks working as lifeguards in Oyster Bay, New York, finding that the responsibilities translate into valuable improvements for their respective college sports. The group includes Siena lacrosse player Patrick Radomski, UConn cheerleader Charlotte McKelvey, SUNY Oswego swimmer Allison Priestley, and soon-to-be UMass freshman lacrosse player Tyler Byrnes, alongside Cassidy Morrow from Siena's women's lacrosse team.

"Communication and a team base — you work together, and if there’s a save, everyone’s going together," Radomski said. "Each person has a job, just like playing a sport. Everyone works together, and we all want the same thing."

The athletes describe learning to perform under pressure as a significant aspect of their lifeguard roles. "Learning how to perform under pressure is a big part of it," Morrow stated. "At school, we practice every day for hours just to prepare for a game. It’s the same thing here when we practice our drills, CPR and are getting ready to potentially save someone’s life."

Priestley recounted a personal experience where she had to react quickly to rescue a young boy struggling in the water. "I jumped off the stand, dove in and got him to the side," she said of the "nerve-racking" incident. "It was unexpected. It was scary, but he was OK." She also noted the support of her colleagues during the emergency, highlighting the team-oriented environment.

"It’s very much a family environment. Everyone’s friends; we don’t really get sick of each other," McKelvey added. "I feel like even though our job is serious, we do find ways to make it fun and enjoy everybody’s company."

Beyond the teamwork and crisis management, the lifeguarding positions also serve as a means to maintain peak physical conditioning. Byrnes mentioned that the job keeps him in shape, and he aims to swim at least three times a week. Morrow also emphasizes consistent swimming, completing about 32 laps daily to build endurance.

McKelvey credits her rigorous daily swimming regimen with building endurance that benefits her as a cheerleader, particularly during demanding events like cheering at the Women's Final Four. The athletes also noted how working in demanding summer heat, such as during a recent July heatwave, prepares them for similarly challenging conditions in their sports.