Photo Courtesy of SWC Athletics
Southwestern College swimmers Mary Jackson (left), Troy Schlage and Jared Ritchie finished in the top 15th in the state.
Swimmers Mary Jackson, Troy Schalge and Jared Ritchie attends the State Championship in Santa Rosa
By Dana Sharai Little
For swimmers to make their bodies go faster, they need their minds to slow down.
Matt Ustaszewski, the heady head coach, knows that mind over matter matters. Step one is to enjoy the process.
“This group is fun, but obviously every season is different,” he said. “They will go as far as their minds and bodies take them.”
Ray Artis said swimming has always given him mental clarity and a sense of alignment.
“I started when I was seven years old in Cleveland with Lake Erie Swimming, YMCA teams, summer clubs and my high school team,” he said. “After taking a few years off, I knew I wanted to get back in the water. Being on the Southwestern swim team is my way of reconnecting with the sport I love.”
Freshman Jared Ritchie also swims for the joy of it.
“I decided I was going to Southwestern because it was close and more affordable than a four-year and I wanted to swim, so I decided to sign up,” he said. “It’s been fun. Everyone on the team is very friendly. Traveling with them and going to swim meets is very enjoyable.”
Mary Jackson is a freshman medley and butterfly specialist. She said she joined the Jaguars because swimming has been a central part of her life since she was nine. After high school she took a break but missed the sport.
“I knew I still had a passion for swimming, and joining the team seemed like the perfect way to get back into it,” she said. “I want to make the most of this experience and push myself to become better.”
Daniela Ramirez-Ruvalcaba said she saw an opportunity at Southwestern to continue her swimming career and build relationships with new coaches and teammates.
“My experience has been positive, from the practices to my teammates,” she said. “It has been refreshing to go on this new journey, surrounded by the best supporters – my coaches and teammates. Swimming is healing and it has been there for me my whole life.”
Ustaszewski declared the season “a success.” His athletes agreed. Everyone said they had fun.
