The Santa Rosa Junior College men’s and women’s swim and dive teams held their annual alumni swim meet at Kathryn J. Kettler Pool in the Quinn Swim Center March 14, giving athletes from past and present the opportunity to connect and bond.
Alumni and current athletes competed in various events, including freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and individual medley races while divers held 1M and 3M competitions.
The event featured former national, state and conference champions, dating back from the 1980s to the 2010s. The SRJC swim and dive teams are the most successful programs in SRJC athletics with eight state titles. Six came under head coach and fellow alum Jill McCormick
The SRJC swim and dive teams’ tradition of excellence date back to the teams’ introductions in 1973 and 1979. The men’s team, founded in 1973 won their first state title in 2012. The women’s team founded in 1979 is the most decorated program in SRJC athletics — winning seven state titles and first winning state in their inaugural season.
Current athletes talked about how spending time with alumni inspired them and showed how strong the bond is within the program.
Sophomore swimmer Addison Klosevtiz said it’s very motivating and grounding to compete with alumni.
“Seeing so many talented people who have gone through the program and still choose to come back and support it decades later reminds me how strong the Bear Cub family is,” she said.
Freshman swimmer Nico Riley-turner said that it’s nice seeing how strong the community is within the program.
“As a freshman, competing against the alumni is such a cool thing since you are able to actively see the legacy the SRJC swim team has,” swimmer Nico Riley-Turner said. “During the meet we had alumni who swam back in the 1980’s, it’s nice knowing you will always be welcome back to the Bear Cub family.
McCormick, Class of 91′ spoke about the importance of alumni connections in maintaining a culture in the program.
“They are role models and supporters to our current athletes,” McCormick said. “To honor and stay connected with our alumni and traditions is something our program is grounded in.”
As an alum she spoke about how much the program meant to her.
“This place made me a better swimmer, student and person,” she said. “It gave me confidence and it made me realize how large of an impact SRJC could have on a student-athlete.”
She also told current athletes not to waste the opportunity and gift of being a collegiate athlete.
“It will set you up for success in everything you do going forward,” she said. “It is a team environment where you will be challenged and developed and held accountable in a supportive environment.”
McCormick said Bear Cubs’ swimmers and divers need to be committed, enjoy challenges, enjoy development and willing to be a part of something larger than themselves.
Current Athletes also spoke on how supporting each other strengthens the bond within the program.
Reminding each other we are in it together gets us through gritty training and long meet days,” Klosevitz said. “We complain together for a second but we’re always able to remind each other why we are doing this, and push through with our ‘attitude of gratitude,’ as we’ve been saying.”
Sophomore Swimmer Garret Woody said that encouragement is a big factor into getting through the season
“During hard practices or long swim meets, we cheer each other on and help each other maintain a positive attitude, which really goes a long way,” Woody said.
The annual swim meet will continue to serve swimmers from the past and present, as the current swimmers look towards the rest of the season, they carry the high standards set by the champions that preceded them.
