Friday, January 22, 2021
My Why: Jazmine Wildcat, Lily King & Cliff Murray
Some sage soul, possibly Rowdy Gaines, once mused, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
At this point, our hearts are to the point of bursting with pent-up fondness — and longing — for the pool. Continued and extended periods of quarantine have distanced us from the comfort of chlorine during the 'Rona’s reign, affecting all members of the swim community — athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, family and supporters alike.
We’ve missed the big moments: postponed U.S. Team Trials and 2020 Olympic Games Tokyo, as well as hundreds of cancelled international, national and local age group meets.
We’ve missed the little moments: obligatory groans at early-morning practice, the communal joy of a dropped tenth, as well as hundreds of laughs, hugs, cheers and tears.
Of course, these aren’t actually the little moments. The relationships, the bonds, the empathy and the love are the true comforts of chlorine.
"My Why" is a series of candid testimonials from individuals who believe in the power of swimming. Their passion for the sport is infectious.
Jazmine Wildcat | Riverton High School swimmer (17) | Riverton, WY
My current involvement with swimming now that my senior season for the school is over is mainly going to the pool on my own time to work out and keep myself healthy. I’m also trying to convince my little sister to swim for her middle school’s swim team and my even littler sister to get swim lessons with my town’s club team.
My swim journey began when little ol’ sixth grade me decided to try something new. I had never competitively swam before or really knew how to swim in general. I tried out for the middle school swim team. They took me in and taught me all the basics, like how to swim freestyle, then eventually all of the other strokes. From there on out, I continued to swim every season all the way through my senior year in high school.
I chose swimming because it was something I'd never done before. Once I got into the groove of swimming and using all of my muscles, I realized swimming was the best way to work out my entire body and stay healthy.
Indigenous people believe water is sacred, cleansing the body and mind. Swimming keeps me grounded.
Lily King | U.S. National Team swimmer | Evansville, IN
Obviously, my number one reason is because I love to compete. I love to win. I love the struggle of training. Those are probably my favorite things about swimming. I love to work hard, and I love to see the progress I can make as an individual.
Cliff Murray | Northern Lights Swim Club head coach | Anchorage, AK
I began swimming for the Eielson Flyers at the age of seven. At my tryout, I choked on water and the coach had to rescue me. When I got home, I never wanted to go back. My parents told me it was too late, that they had already paid the first month’s dues. I have been involved in swimming ever since.
I swam through high school, taught swimming lessons in high school and college, and then at the age of 21 got my first coaching gig with Midnight Sun Swim Team in Fairbanks. I was the assistant coach until 1993, then was the head coach for five years. In 1998, I took the head coaching job at Northern Lights Swim Club. I took over as owner of NLSC in 2004.
Swimming was never easy for me. I was never a “gifted” swimmer, but I knew how to work hard. I learned a lot from the perseverance the sport requires. It gets me through the hard times — like COVID. I enjoy helping ignite that same passion for others.
At this point, our hearts are to the point of bursting with pent-up fondness — and longing — for the pool. Continued and extended periods of quarantine have distanced us from the comfort of chlorine during the 'Rona’s reign, affecting all members of the swim community — athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, family and supporters alike.
We’ve missed the big moments: postponed U.S. Team Trials and 2020 Olympic Games Tokyo, as well as hundreds of cancelled international, national and local age group meets.
We’ve missed the little moments: obligatory groans at early-morning practice, the communal joy of a dropped tenth, as well as hundreds of laughs, hugs, cheers and tears.
Of course, these aren’t actually the little moments. The relationships, the bonds, the empathy and the love are the true comforts of chlorine.
"My Why" is a series of candid testimonials from individuals who believe in the power of swimming. Their passion for the sport is infectious.
Jazmine Wildcat | Riverton High School swimmer (17) | Riverton, WY
My current involvement with swimming now that my senior season for the school is over is mainly going to the pool on my own time to work out and keep myself healthy. I’m also trying to convince my little sister to swim for her middle school’s swim team and my even littler sister to get swim lessons with my town’s club team.
My swim journey began when little ol’ sixth grade me decided to try something new. I had never competitively swam before or really knew how to swim in general. I tried out for the middle school swim team. They took me in and taught me all the basics, like how to swim freestyle, then eventually all of the other strokes. From there on out, I continued to swim every season all the way through my senior year in high school.
I chose swimming because it was something I'd never done before. Once I got into the groove of swimming and using all of my muscles, I realized swimming was the best way to work out my entire body and stay healthy.
Indigenous people believe water is sacred, cleansing the body and mind. Swimming keeps me grounded.
Lily King | U.S. National Team swimmer | Evansville, IN
Obviously, my number one reason is because I love to compete. I love to win. I love the struggle of training. Those are probably my favorite things about swimming. I love to work hard, and I love to see the progress I can make as an individual.
Cliff Murray | Northern Lights Swim Club head coach | Anchorage, AK
I began swimming for the Eielson Flyers at the age of seven. At my tryout, I choked on water and the coach had to rescue me. When I got home, I never wanted to go back. My parents told me it was too late, that they had already paid the first month’s dues. I have been involved in swimming ever since.
I swam through high school, taught swimming lessons in high school and college, and then at the age of 21 got my first coaching gig with Midnight Sun Swim Team in Fairbanks. I was the assistant coach until 1993, then was the head coach for five years. In 1998, I took the head coaching job at Northern Lights Swim Club. I took over as owner of NLSC in 2004.
Swimming was never easy for me. I was never a “gifted” swimmer, but I knew how to work hard. I learned a lot from the perseverance the sport requires. It gets me through the hard times — like COVID. I enjoy helping ignite that same passion for others.