Jordyn Kaplan does just about everything on the Chaparral girls swim team.
Kaplan, the captain of the team, is also the de facto carpool chaeufer and runs the team’s Twitter accounts. The senior sets the tone for the team’s close bond by insisting that swimming is not just an individual sport.
“Anytime I need something outside the pool I can text and she’ll get it done immediately,” said coach Annie Graves. “She’s never sitting on the side thinking about her own race. She’s always doing something with the team.”
Along with being an insatiably competitive athlete — in the fall she runs cross country and in the spring, track — Kaplan is known for being one of the team’s best cheerleaders. She sees the importance of teammates supporting each other, both in and out of the water.
“Although it’s individual, it’s something super special with 34 girls on the team,” Kaplan said. “There’s such a close bond outside the pool and to see it translate into the water and into your races, is something really special.”
Key statistics:
Kaplan has five first-place finishes, 10 second-place finishes and two third-place finishes this season as of Jan. 25.
Coach‘s take:
“I’ve been coaching Jordyn since she was 9. She is the best teammate. She’s always cheering for other people. She’s a super hard worker. She’s super competitive. She will not quit until she beats everyone in the pool.”
Chaparral swimming coach Annie Graves
In your senior season, are you feeling nostalgic at all?
Absolutely. (Two weeks ago) was our senior night, so we recognized all the seniors. There’s only four of us, including our diver. There’s two of us who have been here all four years. We’ve definitely dropped a couple along the way, but it was really good, and this year to be able to lead the team as captain has been so special. The team itself is insanely special to me.
What are your plans after high school?
I am committing to Carthage College (Kenosha, Wisconsin). I’m going to swim and run track for them.
What is your favorite race in swimming?
Either the 100 (meter) breast or the 50 (meter) free. I’ve been focusing on those this season.
Do you have any goals for where you want to end up?
I want to break 1:08 in the 100 breast and I want to go 5:24 in the 50 free.
Do you have any idea what you want to study?
I want to study biomedical engineering and eventually go into dentistry.
What is your favorite class?
Definitely biology. A little bit of chemistry. Sciences for sure.
If you know me, you know that…
I’m super dorky. I love pickles, and I eat a pickle before every race, whether it’s swimming or running. That’s a weird thing about me.
Why is that?
It has the same effects as a banana. It helps with muscle soreness. I’ve just taken it on as my trademark. It’s super weird and super dorky.
What‘s the best advice you‘ve ever been given?
Make every moment count. I’ve really learned throughout this year and in high school in general, being a senior, this four years goes so fast. Whether it’s in the classroom or in the pool, take every moment and really make it count.