As he dives into the pool, sophomore Chandler Kyle prepares himself for his race with thoughts of gold on his mind. All he can think to do when he hits the clear blue water is “swim fast.”

“Chandler is serious when it comes to competitions,” mother Sonja Kyle said. “He doesn’t always swim his best speeds during practice, but he knows when it’s ‘Game Time’ and that’s when he turns it on.”

After winning four gold medals at the Special Olympics Area Swim Meet in Keller in August, Chandler, who is a part of the district’s All-Stars Team, will be competing at the state level in College Station this weekend.

“This is a much harder competition because Chandler is competing with some of the fastest swimmers in the state,” Sonja said.

Chandler has been with the All-Stars, where he first learned how to swim, since he was 8.

“His wonderful and patient coaches were Chuck Roe, Dana Beal and Shelley Stautzenberger,” Sonja said. “All teachers (or) administrators, they are the true heroes of our swim team.”

ISLE Teacher Amanda Boudreaux said Chandler talks about swimming at school.

“(He) tells us how he loves to win the gold,” Boudreaux said.

Chandler said he felt good about winning the gold medals at his area meet.

“He competed in the 25-meter freestyle, 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke races,” Sonja said. “He won the fourth gold medal with his 4×50 meter relay team.”

The relay team also includes senior Yahaun McCoy; in addition, several other students swim with Chandler.

“I believe he has been positively affected by being a part of our magnificent Special Olympics swim team,” Sonja said. “(They are) an awesome group of athletes who work hard and give their all every time they compete.”

All of the awards he has received are displayed on his All-Star wall in his bedroom, Chandler said.

“Over the years, Chandler’s swimming ability got better and better making it possible for him to transfer from the shallow to the deep water swim group,” Sonja said. “He has become a pretty fast swimmer and has won several medals in competitions.”

The Special Olympics delegation trains and competes in seven different sports throughout the year: swimming, track and field, tennis, bocce, basketball, bowling and cycling.

“Being a part of this team has taught Chandler how to be a team player and it has helped tremendously with his social skills,” Sonja said. “He has made quite a few friends, and although having a typical conversation with others is not his strong point, he has learned to make an effort and has been quite successful.”

Chandler, who said he loves running on the track, is also on the All-Stars Track and Field team.

“He excels in the standing long jump, and he plays Miracle League Baseball,” Sonja said.

Although freestyle is his favorite swimming category, Chandler said his best subject at school is golf class.

“Chandler is a model student,” Boudreaux said. “He works hard and all of his friends and the staff love him.”

Sonja said that with Chandler competing against the best in his category, her hope is that he comes home with gold.

“As long as he is swimming his best, then whatever place he gets will make my husband and me very proud,” she said. “The Special Olympics motto says ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt.’ What we ask of Chandler is his best.”