Going for the Gold: Jenks High School Girls Swimming Is Going for Their 14th State Title And 4th One in Five Years

By: Ethan Adkins

Photo credit: Damian Hudson

While summer is coming to an end and pools are turning cold, the pool at the Jenks Trojan Aquatic Center is starting to heat up with many swimmers training for this upcoming season. This is where Senior Alexis Selden is staying busy motivating her teammates to return to gold.

“Hearing people say Jenks got second was disappointing and we’re still hungry, but we’re proud of everything we had done,” said Selden. 

The 2023-2024 season was a really good season where the girls would dominate teams all across the state all season long, however at the State Championships the girls’ team would fall short of first by a few races but safely claiming runner-up. Selden’s vision for the team's success this season expands further than just working harder at practices.

“I’d rather get second place with these group of girls, then get first with anyone else,” said Seldon.

The team being a family is a very strong core fundamental for the team. According to Selden’s experiences, when the team is at its strongest is when the team is very closely compacted together as one big family and that’s when positivity is at its highest.

“Whenever the team has drama and or gets clique, that’s when we get the negativity,” said Selden.

Positivity and inclusivity are at the forefront of the team this year. The best team in the state isn’t just the fastest one, it’s the one having the most fun and the one that’s the most like a family.

“In 20 years down the line are you going to remember winning or winning with your team?” said Selden.

However Swimmers alone don’t win championships. It’s a combined effort of swimmer participation and coaching efforts. Although sometimes coaching efforts can be lost in translation to swimmers.

“I want to see the coaches to explain why, [Head Coach] Diego preps 2 weeks before a meet and most of the swimmers don't understand the reason behind it,” said Selden.

Coach Morgan believes that training works more than just your body, it works your mind too.

“When you’re in the water for practice, you’re not just there to out your body, but also to work out your mind,” said Morgan.

Swimming is a very mental sport. For most of practice you’re staring at a black line at the bottom of the pool. The stronger you are mentally, the stronger your performance will be.

“All you can do is all you can do,” said Morgan. This quote exemplifies the mentality the team is taking into the new season. Working hard in the water, but also working hard to unite the team under one goal to succeed. 

The team is very optimistic about their chances this year. Come Check out the Jenks High School Swim Team at their first home meet on November 2nd.