Dagny Knutson Gives Back to Home-State Swimmers

Photo Courtesy: Peter H.Bick

Dagny Knutson, national record holder and former World Champion, helped run a three-day swim camp in Williston, N.D. June 1-3.

Run by internationally-known coach Milt Nelms, the Best Darn Swim Camp was available to swimmers of all ages. The Best Darn Swim Camps are a series of events offered in Colorado, Minnesota, Wyoming and North Dakota. For the Williston stop, Minot, N.D.’s Knutson was available to help the young athletes.

Knutson is home in North Dakota for the summer while on break from college and said she enjoys working with Nelms – and the kids.

“He has been doing a couple different camps around North Dakota – he did a couple last summer – and so I’m here as someone just kind of to help. From working with him I think I have a pretty good understanding of his philosophy and teaching and so I help the kids by pulling them out of the water and moving their arms around and just trying to help them understand.”

KXNet.com - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson-KXNEWS,ND

Help for healthy swimming

Nelms has worked with the nation’s Olympic teams in past years, and has focused his coaching on faster and healthier swimming. According to the Williston Herald, Nelms’ coaching philosophy is well-suited for the young swimmers in today’s society.

“It’s the 21st century lifestyle,” Knutson said in the article. “People are slouching in front of screens.” Together, Nelms and Knutson worked to correct posture, proper breathing, body movement and energy usage in the water.

After battling her own physical difficulties throughout her swimming career, Knutson is currently focusing on helping others in the sport, instead of splashing around herself. She is currently at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix working on obtaining a degree in Sports Business.

“I have to do what’s best for my emotional happiness,” Knutson said. “I’m in a better place now than I have been.”

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