Tomlinson is Excited to be First Swimmer for C-K

Alexys Tomlinson, a freshman at Claysburg-Kimmel High School is the first student to swim for the district.

"I have always loved swimming - I have always enjoyed the water," she said.

Tomlinson's journey started when her mother Tiffany Tomlinson told her about swim practice at the Hollidaysburg YMCA for eight and under.

"I said yeah we should go," she said. "My first practice went so well, I was so happy, and I loved it. I didn't want to stop and just wanted to keep going back."

Tiffany said her daughter has been swimming for the Hollidaysburg YMCA Tiger Shark team since she was seven.

Alexys said her favorite is the 200m breaststroke.

"For me it is the easiest, even though it can be the hardest stroke to do," she said. "It is so relaxing but you have to be quick at it. It's not as tiring and more enjoyable than the other options."

Alexys said she won one race at districts last year when she was swimming for the YMCA.

She dropped 13 seconds to place sixth and went to states.

Her mother said since Claysburg did not have a high school team, they approached the school later to get the process started early because they knew the process could take a long time.

They first thought of doing a co-op, but it was not an option because a lot of schools did not want to do that.

"It is based on classification with the PIAA," Tiffany said. "Hollidaysburg is AA for the girls and if they would have done a co-op it would have bumped them up to AAA."

They decided it would be better for her to swim independently and that option was approved at Claysburg school board's September meeting.

Tiffany explained that when there is a home meet at Hollidaysburg, she will swim in an open lane to get her time standards.

"She will be swimming with the other girls at the meets, but the times will only count for herself," she said.

Alexys said she is excited about being the first person to swim for her school.

"I think it is pretty cool because if I do really well I can have good things happen to me which could inspire other kids to try the sport," she said.

Alexys said her friends are already big supporters of what she is doing.

"We discussed with the school board, if there are any other kids that would want to join, I would be willing to coach them," Tiffany said.

She will be the volunteer coach for her daughter, and is a certified official through the YMCA.

"I have never been a swim coach, I just have the exposure from her swimming for the last eight years," Tiffany said.

Her duties for being a coach will primarily be taking her daughter to meets and being her support on deck.

"Her current swim coaches are the Hollidaysburg YMCA coaches – they are also the Hollidaysburg swim team coaches," Tiffany said. "They already told me we got her."

She said their support has been very important and helpful through the whole process of swimming for Claysburg.

"I really want to improve this year and throughout the years, and attend states again," Alexys said about her goals going forward.

She said swimming for high school will be a new experience because she will get to meet people from different schools.

"I think it will be cool to meet new people and swim with Hollidaysburg friends," Alexys said.

Practice for the upcoming winter season starts on November 14.

"She swims for the YMCA and also the USA, when you think of the USA swimming that is the Olympics," Tiffany said. "The USA time standards are a little bit different than the YMCA, there are additional meets she could qualify for based on her times."

Another local swimmer, Leah Shackley, who recently went to the Olympic trials, is a good friend of hers and has been a big inspiration.

"I think it's crazy that she is 17 and she was in the Olympic trials," Alexys said. "That shows how much work she puts into this sport. I would love to have that opportunity, and strive to have that. I guess we'll have to see how it all works out."

When she is not swimming she is playing volleyball and softball for Claysburg.

"Her playing volleyball and softball during the off season helps because it keeps her active. With swimming you want to stay active because it is so physically hard," Tiffany said.

Alexys is also in the band, FBLA, Scholastic Scrimmage, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is very involved in her church.

"If you have something you want to do, go for it because you never know what can happen, maybe it will take you in the right direction," she said.