James Story (‘25) is an avid swimmer, and while Mead High does not have its own swim team, this has not stopped Story from climbing the ranks.
He is a part of the Front Range Barracudas Club swim team and Silver Creek High School swim team.
Story has been swimming at a competitive level since he was eight. He ranks first in Colorado for the 200-yard freestyle. Interestingly, Story’s favorite event is the 100-yard freestyle.
Story’s top school – for now – is the University of Nevada, Las Vegas – this is where he plans to continue his swimming career in pursuing further education.
The University of South Dakota has also been in touch with him. He believes this would be a good option, but his eyes are set on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Story credits his mother and father for his success in swimming. They have supported him financially and made sure to enroll him in swim classes as early as toddlerhood. His younger sister also swims.
Story participated in recreational swimming as a child and then moved on to club swimming. He remembers not being fast in the water until 13 years old.
“I played baseball for a little while and it sucked, so my parents put me in swimming and it stuck,” he said.
Story starts some mornings as early as 3:00 a.m. on days he has practice before school. Practice is in Broomfield and starts at 5:00 a.m., always beginning with a warmup and then bleeding into other skills. Story says the hardest part of practice is the main set after the kick set.
“It’s a lot harder than what people think it is,” Story said.
Story loves winning. One of the best feelings in competition is seeing the “1” in front of his name, meaning he placed first. Entering the water means the show has started and for the next 20 seconds Story and his other competitors have to put their all into reaching the touchpad first.
Story always has a goal time going into a race — there is always a big board that projects lane, time, and place — “when you look up and see that time, it’s rewarding.”
Story says that swimming is really important to him, “It’s my future.” He notes the camaraderie and friendships that his sport has given him.
