MOVING ALONG SWIMMINGLY
Rose State offers rare opportunity for enthusiasts
Anew club at Rose State College is making a splash because it offers students in Oklahoma a rare opportunity — competitive swimming.
High school swimmers have few options to continue the sport in state.
“The swimming world in Oklahoma is so small compared to the nation,” said Kim Queri, aquatics coordinator and social sciences professor at Rose State. “We’re the first community college in Oklahoma to offer swimming.”
The Raiders Swim Club started last fall with 12 swimmers and gained two more this semester.
Coaches Queri and Blake Shawn worked to get the swim club up and running at the request of students.
“We had an influx of good
swimmers coming into the school who were interested in swimming for the college, but a team was not available,” said Shawn, pool operator and lifeguard for the Rose State College Aquatics Center.
Now in his fifth year as the Midwest CityDel City Schools coach, he already knew many of the swimmers. And many knew each other, but a couple of club members are new to the sport.
They practice at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. Shawn said it’s hard work, but he tries to make it enjoyable.
“I don’t yell a lot. I just talk to them,” he said.
The swimmers are preparing for a meet Feb. 10 and 11 at Wichita State University.
“Everybody’s getting excited,” Shawn said. “Some are coming in in the afternoon and putting in more time.”
As a club organization, rather than a varsity team, the swimmers have to raise all the money for their transportation, hotel accommodations, swimsuits and caps.
“They are doing a wonderful job because they really want it and they have the desire to make this work,” Queri said. “The hope is that we grow into a varsity team.”
Oklahoma’s only varsity teams now are at Oklahoma Baptist University and St. Gregory’s University, both in Shawnee, she said.
Shawn said growing the club into a varsity team will depend on available funds for scholarships and on interest. If 30 to 40 swimmers are committed to the program the college would consider it, he said.
“People are asking about the program,” Shawn said. “The news is spreading and the interest is growing.”
He and Queri hope to have about 25 swimmers next year.
“It gives the kids across Oklahoma a place to continue swimming out of high school,” said Queri, who sponsors five clubs on campus.
“Students who get involved have a higher success rate in college,” she said.
Organizations like the swim club often have a minimum grade-point average requirement, which encourages students to work hard in their classes.
Members help tutor others in the group and build lasting friendships, she said.
Offering varsity swimming at an affordable quality public college would be wonderful for the state, Queri said.
“It’s a big step for Rose State. It’s a big step for Oklahoma,” she said. “It’s exciting.”