Everything’s Faster In Texas

By Jaecey Parham, Swimming World College Intern

The biggest swimming state in the nation can be argued to be a number of different states, particularly California and Florida. Across all divisions, Texas has a total of 18 collegiate swim teams while Florida has 19. California has 18 Division I schools alone. However, there is one important constituent that set Texas apart from the others as being the powerhouse swimming state.

Texans have created a competitive culture that is unique in comparison to the rest of the country. Perhaps this culture stems from the early days in Texas history when Texans displayed extraordinary bravery during the Battle of the Alamo.

Texans were risk-takers when they seceded from the Union in 1861. Texans were and have always been notoriously proud of their home turf. It is hard to convince a Texan that their state is not the best state in the country.

Similarly, athletes competing in Texas must hold these values in order to succeed in this competitive state. They must be brave. To succeed they have to step out in faith and reach for the unreachable. They have to be risk-takers. They have to be willing to try unconventional methods, things never tried before, in order to be faster and stronger.

Lastly, they must be proud- they must have a confident demeanor and a belief that they will win. This is cumulates to literally, a fast pool of athletes who are more competitive than the average athlete.

Haley Goertz, a senior swimmer of the University of North Texas, is a Louisiana native, but says Texas’ fast swimming and competitive spirit was one of the factors she based her decision on when she chose to move to Texas for college.

“Texas swimming is a lot more competitive than Louisiana. Louisiana has fast swimmers as well, but not nearly as many as a state like Texas,” Goertz said.

Another collegiate swimmer, Rice senior Marissa Konicke, grew up all over the country, including Alaska. Konicke’s family specifically chose Texas when they had the option to relocate.

“Since swimming opportunities are limited in Alaska, my family decided to move to Texas 10 years ago partly because the state has much higher caliber athletics,” Konicke said.

University of Texas sophomore, Madisyn Cox, was a member of Team USA during the 2014 FINA Short Course World Championships and is a Texas native. She credits this proud culture as to why the state is as fast as it is.

“The culture we have built up in Texas around the sport also inspires people, which helps to grow the sport even further,” Cox said.

The mindset Texans carry with them carries into how Texan athletes carry themselves. Swimmers move from all over the country to be a a part of this state’s swimming sphere. Not only does this mindset create fast swimmers, but also like Cox said, it inspires others. This in turn only propels the sport further and makes times even faster.

Is everything faster in Texas? Well, Texans certainly think so.

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