Panthers of ISKL #283: The MS Aqua Panthers
Swimming isn’t just about speed; it’s about persistence, growth, and the power of community. At ISKL, the MS Aqua Panthers exemplify these values in and out of the pool.
In this feature, we spotlight three inspiring Middle School swimmers: Lewis W. (‘31), Lulu P. (‘29), and Noah A.R. (‘30). They are part of a larger team that’s as dedicated to sportsmanship as it is to performance.
These young athletes share their stories of early mornings, big goals, and the friendships that keep them going. From setting personal bests to building mental resilience, their experiences reflect the heart of ISKL’s dynamic co-curricular program, which encourages students to know themselves, care for others, and push boundaries to become future-ready individuals.
Their stories represent just a glimpse of the energy, dedication, and camaraderie that define the MS Aqua Panthers team, where every swimmer, whether new or seasoned, contributes to lifting each other up.
Here are their stories:
Lewis W. (‘31)
Tell us a little about yourself!
I joined ISKL in 2018 and have been part of this community for around 7 years.
When did your swimming journey begin?
I started at 8 years old and just watched a few Michael Phelps highlights, which interested me in the sport.
Do you have a favorite stroke or event?
I really like 1500 free, 800 free, and 400 IM (individual medley), and my favorite stroke is Freestyle, but only the distance parts of it. It's really special because I just really enjoy the way it's done and everything.
Can you walk us through your most recent swim meet?
I recently raced in the Malaysian Invitational Age Group (MIAG), a competition that included five different countries and all the states of Malaysia in various age groups. Group 4, 11, and under 11 years; Group 3, 12 to 13 years; Group 2, 14 to 15 years; Group 1, 16 to 18, and open group, any age above 18.
I raced in 1500, 800, 400, and 200-meter freestyle and 400-meter Individual Medley (IM). I got gold in 1500, 800, 400-meter freestyle, and 400 IM, and silver in 200 freestyle. I broke one MIAG open (meaning people from all countries, not only Malaysia, can break the record) record in the 800-meter freestyle by 12 seconds and got Personal Bests (PBs) in all my events.
With such a busy schedule, how do you manage your time?
I mainly focus on swimming on weekdays and use What I Need (WIN) time to catch up on things during the week. I also mainly do my homework, play assessments, and weekend tutoring, which is a good balance for me.
What do you enjoy most about being on the MS Aqua Panthers team?
I enjoy the people on the MS Aqua Panthers team because they are welcoming, nice, and really fast.
Yes, I broke the 1500 m Freestyle record by around 3 minutes when representing ISKL in a competition and then re-broke that record, but it didn't count since I was representing the state. I also broke the state and Malaysian age group record for the 800 m Freestyle.
Every swimmer faces challenges. What hurdles have you encountered, and how did you work through them?
One challenge is being sore, tired, or sleepy while training, or just wanting not to wake up in the morning to train. I face these challenges by thinking more optimistically than negatively, so I can continue to train in the mornings.
Some things I might think of are that the training is easy, we'll have an easy set, etc., but being sore, sleepy, or tired and facing a hard set, I just believe in myself and trust the process, which usually works, but sometimes it doesn't work. I now aim to sleep more at home, aka sleeping earlier, which leads to better rest and training.
Thinking about students considering joining the team, what advice would you share with them?
Try your best, and don't aim to beat others; aim to beat yourself. It's about your own work, not the others. Don't stress yourself out or be too nervous in competitions. They're just a test of how fast you can go, and that's it. You might even beat your friends if they join!
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the season? We're excited to hear what you're aiming for next!
My goal is probably to break 17 minutes and get over 600 final points (17:12.00) in the 1500 or do the same but break 9 minutes in the 800, since the 17- and 9-minute barriers are among the hardest ones to break. If I can do it, I'd be really happy, and it'll make me a better swimmer overall.
Lulu P. (‘29)
Tell us a little about yourself!
My name is Ludovica, but people call me Lulu. I've been at ISKL since Grade 2 and am currently in Grade 8, meaning this is my sixth year at ISKL. I am originally from Italy, but also lived in Jakarta before moving to Kuala Lumpur.
When did your swimming journey begin? What first sparked your interest in the sport?
I've been part of the swim team since Grade 2, but it wasn't until Grade 6 that I truly became interested in the sport. Before then, swimming was just something I did mainly because my parents thought it was good for me. I would train every week, but I was never excited to swim. But everything changed when I joined the MS swim team.
Although I was incredibly nervous at my first MS swim meet, I felt a rush of excitement that I hadn't experienced before. The atmosphere was lively, with teammates cheering and races happening back to back. The mix of competition, personal challenge, and the incredible support from my teammates made me fall in love with swimming. That's when I realized that I wanted to take swimming more seriously and continue improving.
Do you have a favorite stroke or event?
My favorite event is definitely the 50m Freestyle. Not only is it my best event, but I also enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes with sprinting—something I don't experience as much in longer races, where endurance and pace play a major role. On the other hand, the 50m is power and speed from start to finish.
Can you describe your most recent swim meet?
My most recent swim meet was at the Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS). It was my very first swim meet outside of the country in MS, and the entire experience was incredibly exciting and fun!
I competed in the 50m, 100m, 200m Freestyle, and the 50m fly. I was also in the 4x100m Freestyle relay and the 4x100m medley relay, where I swam Freestyle. I was very proud of what I accomplished during this swim meet. I improved almost all my times and even broke the 50m Freestyle record again!
But apart from the wins, this swim meet helped me learn to adapt to swim meets outside of my comfort zone, where I am not used to the pool, country, and people. I also had a lot of fun with my team and even met swimmers from JIS.
With such a busy schedule, how do you manage your time?
Balancing swimming, school, and other commitments can definitely be challenging, but I manage my time by setting priorities and maintaining a routine. Swimming in the morning instead of in the afternoon allows me to have more time for school work while still being able to participate in other activities such as the Middle School Youth Orchestra (MSYO), ISKL Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (IPYO), and volleyball.
I also try to stay efficient with my schoolwork by completing assignments as soon as possible to avoid falling behind. Following this routine for roughly three years has become second nature and has helped me stay organized. While my schedule is busy, I enjoy everything I do, so it's worth finding a balance.
How has being part of the MS Aqua Panthers shaped you as an athlete and a person?
Being on the MS Aqua Panthers team has taught me a lot about discipline, determination, and the importance of passion for what you do. I've learned that incorporating these qualities into swimming not only helps me improve but also improves my commitment to the sport. Mainly, it has taught me about determination and how, even when I don't want to keep going, whether in swimming or anything else, I should persevere and continue to give my full effort. I believe that swimming has really helped me be a better athlete.
What do you enjoy most about being on the MS Aqua Panthers team?
Something I really enjoy about being on the MS Aqua Panthers team is that even though many of my teammates are new this year, we became so close because of the team bond that comes with swimming every day. I also really enjoy all the relays that we do at competitions. Relays especially show the team spirit and bond between us. We calm each other down before races and cheer each other on.
Every swimmer faces challenges. What hurdles have you encountered, and how did you work through them?
My biggest challenge was staying mentally strong, especially during tough practices or races where I didn't perform as well as I had hoped. In those moments, staying motivated and working hard was difficult, especially when I felt I wasn't improving. To try not to get discouraged, I learned to stay positive, trust my training, and use those setbacks as motivation to improve. Having supportive teammates and coaches also made a huge difference in keeping me motivated.
In addition, swimming is also very physically demanding. There have been times when I felt completely exhausted and didn't want to train anymore.
At the start of the year, I had swim meets close together, which was tiring. Overcoming that fatigue and staying committed to training have strengthened me physically and mentally.
Thinking about students considering joining the team, what advice would you share with them?
I would tell any student considering joining the team to try it! Swimming is an amazing sport for anyone looking to improve their overall fitness, and it also gives you the opportunity to make some amazing friends.
My advice? Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! Swimming is a physically demanding sport, but embracing the hard work will make it even more fulfilling. It might differ from what you're used to, but it's absolutely worth the experience.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the season? We're excited to hear what you're aiming for next!
Most of my goals right now are for High School; I would like to do well at IASAS. But of course, my goals are always improving my time and even improving my mindset while I train.
Noah A.R. (‘30)
Tell us a little about yourself!
I'm a Malaysian from Kuala Lumpur. I joined ISKL as a Prep Senior, and I've been in the community for 8 years. I will stay in ISKL until I graduate from High School, making me an ISKL lifer.
When did your swimming journey begin?
To be honest, my mom made me join the Aqua Panthers trials when I was in Grade 1, and I have fallen in love with the sport ever since.
Do you have a favorite stroke or event? What makes it special for you?
I am more of a sprinter, and I swim mostly Freestyle and Butterfly. My favorite events are the 50m Freestyle and the 100m Butterfly. The 50m Freestyle is special because I won the 2025 Malaysia Invitational Age Group (MIAG) national championship. The 100m Butterfly is also my favorite because it has been my signature event since I was 10.
Can you walk us through your most recent swim meet?
The most recent swimming meet was the MIAG Swimming Championship in February 2025. MIAG is a yearly event where the top swimmers from all over the country compete. Swimmers have to qualify as state swimmers before they can compete in MIAG, and I have been representing the state of Kuala Lumpur for the last 3 years.
This year, I competed in the 50m, 100m, and 200m Freestyle, Butterfly, and 200m Individual Medley (IM). So, seven individual events and five relays. The first couple of days of my swim meet were a struggle. My body was ready for the competition after months of training, but my mind was playing with me. (I postponed our family's ski trip until after MIAG to train for the meet through the year-end holidays.) I was nervous because I wanted to qualify for the South East Asia (SEA) Age Swimming Championship, the age group version of the SEA Games, in June 2025 in Singapore.
On the last day of the meet, I concentrated and kept my mind clear. I hit the time I wanted for the 100m Butterfly and won a silver medal. The last event, the 50m Freestyle, came straight after the 100m Butterfly. I had so much lactate in my body and was tired from the 100m Butterfly, but I had to believe I could win. And I DID in the end by a few milliseconds! I won 10 medals, 5 for individual events and 5 for relays, in this year's MIAG.
With such a busy schedule, how do you manage your time?
To me, school and academics should always come first. So, I always focus in class and ensure I complete all my homework. I do my homework during What I Need (WIN) time or in the car on the way to swim training because I wouldn't have time afterward.
Although I swim a lot, I still make time to learn other stuff and join other activities. I play electric guitar, sit for music exams, and perform in music school recitals. I also joined other ASAs like Mathcounts, Debate, Public Speaking, and Football. I have to be efficient with my time to do all these.
How has being part of the MS Aqua Panthers shaped you as an athlete and a person?
The early morning training taught me to be disciplined about my time. I have to be in bed by 8:00 pm; otherwise, I would be unable to focus in class later on, as I need to wake up at 5:00 am and train for 1.5 hours before school. To be a good swimmer, I must be disciplined about food and recovery. The sport has also made me normalize working hard and pushing myself.
What do you enjoy most about being on the MS Aqua Panthers team?
I love the friends and coaches I have in MS Aqua Panthers, and feel happy and motivated to train in school because it's fun. We train hard, but we also have fun.
When I was 7, we went to the Singapore American School (SAS) for a swim meet. During the 50 m Butterfly, my goggles fell off when I dived in, and I started laughing while swimming. My mom captured this in a video. (Of course, nowadays, I can’t afford for my goggles to fall off during a competition, so I always double-cap. You learn over time what and what not to do.)
Every swimmer faces challenges. What hurdles have you encountered, and how did you work through them?
Throughout my short career in swimming, I have faced many challenges. Most of them were injuries due to repetitive strain. I worked through them through strength and conditioning training and physiotherapy. Injuries are terrible because you have to stop training until you get better. After all these experiences, I now take strength and conditioning and recovery sessions very seriously to avoid future injuries.
Thinking about students considering joining the team, what advice would you share with them?
Try it out! Swimming has many benefits. Your body will become stronger, and you will have fun. As a proud Aqua Panther, I encourage everyone to give it a try. However, to be good at competitive swimming, you must train consistently and continuously improve your swimming technique. Technique is especially important for sprinters. Make every training session count. There is no shortcut to success.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the season? We're excited to hear what you're aiming for next!
I have many swimming goals this year, and I am working hard to have a chance at getting a medal in the South East Asia Age Group Championships (SEA Age). I will be swimming five events - 50m, 100m, Freestyle, and 50m, 100m, 200m Butterfly. My other goal this season is to reclaim the number one spot in the 100m Butterfly. I have very strong competitors in this age group, and I must work hard to be better at my events. By the way, having strong competitors will make you better!
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff who always have an anecdote to tell, love to share some insights into their passions and interest, or simply is a Panther through and through? Nominate them to be featured in our Panthers of ISKL stories by sending in your submissions here.