KJ Losee Preparing Remotely For Ivy League Debut at Brown University

KJ Losee training with MLA. Photo Courtesy: Dan D'Addona

KJ Losee was looking forward to diving into Ivy League swimming. The incoming freshman at Brown University was prepared for the big transition both academically and athletically.

But Brown decided that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would ease students onto campus by starting the first semester with just upperclassmen before freshmen arrived in the second semester, Losee said.

“Right now, I am just doing online courses. I am trying to look on the bright side. I think it is truly frustrating that everyone gets to go on campus except the incoming freshman until next semester,” Losee told Swimming World.

Photo Courtesy: Dan D’Addona

In the meantime, Losee is training with Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics in Holland, near his hometown of Spring Lake. There the 200 free/200 fly specialist is training with other college swimmers in similar situations as well as pros and high schoolers finally able to return to indoor pools in Michigan because of the pandemic.

“It is a very strange mix of kids from different places and different situations from all across the country but a the end of the say, we are all under Jim (Whitehead’s) coaching and he creates an atmosphere that sets us up for success,” Lose said. “We bust our butts every day and that creates a bond.”

It is something MLA coach Jim Whitehead said has been a pleasant surprise this year.

“I am proud we have given them a space where they feel challenged enough,” Whitehead said. “We have a bunch of kids who have known each other forever but have never swam together.”

Losee has been a part of MLA for a while and has fit right in, Whitehead said.

“For him personally, it has been good,” Whitehead said. “He was nervous about it and upset he couldn’t get on campus, but this transition has been a lot of fun for him. He has lit a fire for us in Spring Lake. We made out like a bandit with KJ. He is such a hard-working kid. He is at a high level and to sustain that for longer practices every day is new for him. I think he is going to have a ridiculous season.”

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Meanwhile, Losee is getting his feet wet at Brown despite not being on campus. He said the team camaraderie has been stellar, even without the teammates being in the same place.

“I committed to Brown for numerous reasons and one was the team. The team is in touch every day and that has been phenomenal,” KJ Losee said. “There will be teams that find a way to get through this and get stronger and I truly think that is us. We will find the good and come out stronger on the other side.

“In the long run, all of the opportunities I set myself up for will all be there when this is over.”

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