U.S. Air Force Academy cadet Ella Donlin begins her warmups for the freestyle stroke competition at the Academy’s Cadet Natatorium Sept. 17, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colo., as she prepares for the Falcons’ season opener Sept. 25, 2024. Freestyle events require swimmers to master a strategic balance of speed, endurance and technique, particularly in longer races. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith).