Article: 30, 000 strokes to go
Found in: The Los Angeles Times
Published: October 18, 2005

I enjoyed this article because it chronicles the trials and hurdles of one man as he fights to swim from Catalina island to the mainland. The article is a human interest story because it pushes the reader to relate to the struggles of James Rainey as he fights fatigue and harsh water conditions to swim across this channel. The author makes notes about Rainey during different parts of his swim, describing the water, Rainey's attitude, and his progress in the water. The article also includes a history of Rainey, the reason for his motivation, and his physical journey to his present day situation. This provides readers with the appropriate context so they learn more about Rainey, and become his biggest encouragers and supporters. I found this article interesting because it is a story about the underdog and does not feature someone of high prominence; rather, it showcases the abilities and uniqueness of everyday citizens.