Blind swimmer Andrew Luk

Luk relaxes on the team bus following Diamond Bar’s swim meet at Villa Park High. Although he had enjoyed swimming as a recreation, it wasn’t until this spring that he decided to try swimming competitively.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Luk has continued to drop his times in the 500 freestyle. In his first race this month, Luk’s time was 9 minutes 55.14 seconds. Two days later, his time was 9:32.45. In his next race, it was dropped to 8:54.28.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Luk, right, is congratulated by fellow swimmers on his Diamond Bar team after competing during the freestyle race at Villa Park High.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

While cutting his way through the water during the Villa Park meet, Diamond Bar teammates cheer on Luk. Teammates stand at each of the pool with a 75-inch-long white pole with a tennis ball fastened at the end to touch Luk as a warning as he nears each wall.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Diamond Bar High swimmers placed black tape over their goggles to see what it is like to swim blind, like teammate Andrew Luk.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Diamond Bar High Coach Michael Spence, who fully supported Luk joining the team, and senior swimmer Lynn Han work with Luk on getting set atop the starting block during practice at the Walnut High pool.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Senior team member Lynn Han has helped Luk, shown practicing at Walnut High, refine his freestyle stroke and improve his swimming skills.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Luk is guided around the pool by Han, who said, “he’s competitive, he’s passionate. His attitude is determination.” Although Luk competes to win, there is something else that drives him: “More important to winning — and I want to win badly — is just learning to work as a team,” he said, “learning to be dedicated to a sport, learning to be disciplined.”  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)