WKU Swim Club hosts first meet in over a decade

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – WKU could by no means convey again Swim and Dive as an intercollegiate sport—however swimming is again within the highlight in Bowling Green. Saturday, the Bill Powell Natatorium contained in the Preston Center hosted its first meet in additional than a decade, due to the WKU Swim Club.

Swim and Dive at Western Kentucky was as soon as one of many Hilltoppers’ most dominant applications, however on April 14th, 2015, the group was suspended following a Title IX investigation that discovered this system violated WKU’s code of scholar conduct and sexual harassment insurance policies.

The suspension was anticipated to final 5 years, however in 2018, funding for the group was eradicated.

Fast ahead 11 years, and swimming is again at Bill Powell Natatorium—not as an NCAA program, however by way of the WKU Swim Club, internet hosting its first meet in additional than a decade.

WKU hosted the primary swim meet in opposition to Louisville’s membership program.

President Jacob Basham stated, “It was fantastic. It’s been a big goal of ours to bring that energy back to the pool. You know, positive energy back around the swim program here in Bowling Green and at Western. Just seeing the stands full, the DJ playing music, and kids rooting for one another. It’s a big family, so it was just really exciting.”

After all their time spent within the pool coaching for moments like this one, it was lastly time to convey the motion proper to house. Vice President Grace Mooney added, “I think it was really cool to actually just have a meet here rather than just practicing and traveling because then people who don’t typically travel were able to swim today.”

The group’s solely been round for about two years, however it’s already grown to greater than 25 swimmers—and the outcomes are beginning to match the momentum. Some Hilltoppers have certified for membership nationals, whereas others are persistently posting Division I-level instances.

And the largest assertion may be this: a few of their high swimmers are selecting to remain at WKU, even with alternatives to switch and compete on scholarship elsewhere.

“We have kids that used to swim DIII and NAIA, and both of them will tell you it’s the most fun that they’ve had,” Basham stated. “They’re still putting up competitive times to whenever they were training every single day, and they’re able to focus on their schooling. So I think it’s what we offer and that’s what people appreciate.”

The WKU Swim Club is open for any scholar to hitch, and Mooney is grateful she took an opportunity on persevering with the game she loves. “After high school I didn’t really think that I was going to be swimming, but when I saw that there was a club team I was like, ‘Oh, maybe this would be worth trying.’ The first practice, everyone was so welcoming. It’s really awesome to be able to compete and travel to all these fun places.”

For the swimmers, it’s not nearly quick instances—it’s about constructing a welcoming setting, competing collectively, and giving extra athletes the possibility to race.

And for the WKU neighborhood that helped put this meet collectively, at present wasn’t only a one-off occasion—it was an indication that this could possibly be the beginning of one thing greater.

“I think the future is bright. I think that we’re getting a lot of interest from seniors in high school that are coming to Western,” Basham added. “I think that as long as we continue fostering a good environment, staying within compliance with the university, which is my number one goal and an essential. It’s going to happen. I think it’s going to continue growing. Swim is a great sport. It’s tough. It’s not easy, but as long as we keep a great environment and positive attitudes I think it’s going to be just fine, we’re going to continue growing.”

WKU college students can register to hitch the swim membership by clicking here.