At 9 months old, Meera Sholevar first attempted to enter the water as she tried to climb into a hot tub. At that moment, her parents, Priya Gor and Darius Sholevar, knew their daughter was destined to swim. One week later, Meera began her swim lessons at the Moorestown YMCA.
Having remained in the pool every week since her swim lessons began, the now 10-year-old Meera’s love for swimming has led to her passion, dedication and commitment to the sport. At age 5, she began her competitive swim career for the Jersey Wahoo’s pre-team in Mt. Laurel.
“I love being in the water because I can focus on the moment. I don’t think about the outside world when I am swimming,” the incoming fifth grader at Moorestown Upper Elementary School said. “I like being with my friends, the team spirit, the parades and being outside in the sun.”
Since her experience with the Wahoos, Meera has never looked back. At age 7, she joined Moorestown’s Sunnybrook Swim Club, furthering her swim aspirations. Helping to fulfill her goals, the following year she won her first Burlington County Championship for the 25-meter freestyle event, and also received medals at the Tri-County Championship.
Then, in 2015, Meera won the 9–10 girls 25-meter backstroke at the Burlington County Championship, only to break the 15-year-old Sunnybrook Swim Club record this year for the same event on June 30. While the previous Sunnybrook record was 17.59 seconds and the Burlington County record was 16.84 seconds, at the Burlington County Championship, Meera swam the 25-meter backstroke in 16.81 seconds.
Despite having been feeling like she was in a rut prior to breaking the club’s record, Jersey Wahoos coach, Jim Villa and team member, Alex Martin, helped push her to greatness. She has worked with Villa, her winter coach, and Martin to improve her stroke mechanics. These two coaches, along with the rest of the Sunnybrook Swim Club coaches, helped Meera believe her goal was undoubtedly within reach.
“I love that she sets her goals and works hard,” her mother Priya said. “She listens to advice and makes changes. Somehow, she manages to pull it all together in that critical moment.”
Also at the 2016 Burlington County Championship, Meera’s medley relay team, including fellow swimmers Alexandra Fazler, Jordyn Chezem and Eliana Delgado, came in first place with a time of 1:15:69.
Meera’s additional accomplishments also include winning last December’s Turkey Claus Championship in Maryland for 9–10 girls 50-yard butterfly, and placing third for 100-yard freestyle. In an attempt to become the best swimmer she can be, Meera plans to remain committed to swimming for the Jersey Wahoos in Mt. Laurel this year.
“Swimming has taught me that you have to work hard for what you desire,” Meera said. “Sometimes, I don’t get what I want but I know I have to work ‘not just harder, but smarter,’ as coach Jim says. This doesn’t just apply to swimming.”
Although Meera swims during all seasons and every day during the summer, when she is not in the pool, she enjoys playing with her friends, singing, watching movies, hanging out with her brother and playing tennis and soccer. Her favorite subjects in school are math and gym.
