Colorado State University Athletics
PVHS Student-Athlete Spotlight: Jill McCormick
2/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
Feb. 13, 2006
All she did in the first semester was take 21 credits worth of upper level college classes, work a couple of hours every day at an internship, practice and lift weights daily, oh, and she also qualified forthe NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship in the weight throw.
Senior Jill McCormick from Highlands Ranch, Colo., also gives back to the community that has supported her throughout her career. During the summer, Jill worked for Splash Pools in Fort Collins, serving as a lifeguard, a swimming lessons instructor and coach of a youth swim team. She worked with children ages 5-14, practicing five days a week and competing on Saturdays.
"I've been teaching lessons for seven years," said McCormick. "This summer was the first opportunity I had to coach a team, so I took it. Summer swim team is one of my favorite memories growing up and I'd like others to have similar memories."
Being outside all day and having the knowledge to save another human being are other reasons she lists for taking the position. Unfortunately, twice this summer she was forced to test that knowledge.
A little girl on the swim team was competing and almost halfway across the pool she stopped swimming and went into a deadman's float. After what seemed like an eternity to Jill, the girl still had not begun swimming again so Jill dove in and pulled her to the side. The girl was fighting her by the end and was okay.
"It was scary, but I am really confident in my lifesaving skills and know when I'm in the chair, the kids are okay."
Jill began swimming on a team when she was five years old, but she took her first swim lesson at just 18-months old. She swam competitively for 11 years and played soccer for eight. But when she started throwing in high school, she found her true calling. Jill currently ranks among the top 15 in the nation in the weight throw and is second in school history with her throw of 65-2.
So, despite her extremely hectic schedule during the school year, she loves the business of the summers and helping children.
"The greatest thing is seeing a kid, who at the beginning of the summer jumps into the pool and hangs on for dear life, but at the end of the summer is swimming the length of the pool with a smile on their face."
"At the end of this year, a little girl came up to me with a mug that says `In 10 years its not going to matter what kind of car you drive or what kind of house you live in, it matters that you made the difference in the life of a child.' That's the most rewarding thing that happened to me all summer."
And the reason you'll see Jill McCormick poolside when her collegiate career has concluded.
Article sponsored by Poudre Valley Health Systems.
