Redhawk Swim rebuilds at SEMO: balancing competition and community

SEMO’s swim team is making waves again, offering a space where swimmers of all levels can practice and connect. The club, which was previously disbanded, is now active again, providing opportunities for students to engage in the sport.

During her first year at SEMO, club vice president Audrey Noland’s former water polo coach, Scott Wolf, encouraged her to revive SEMO’s swim club to help members improve their endurance outside of water polo.

“The club was made with the intention of just having a practice and place for people to get together and swim a set,” Noland said.

The club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 a.m. at the Student Recreation Center.

“We’ve run the club and really promoted it as a form of community because that’s what I really miss the most [about swimming] is a bunch of people coming together that love swimming,” club President Jacobb Dearing said.

While Redhawk Swim originally did not plan to compete, members took their first step by attending the Show Your Stripes Invitational at the University of Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, marking both the first club meet hosted by Mizzou and the newly reformed Redhawk Swim’s competitive debut.

The club has since joined the College Club Swimming organization.

They competed in Bowling Green, Ohio, for the 2024 Central Regional Championship on Nov. 2-3, 2024. Members are now preparing to attend Nationals in Mesa, Arizona, on March 28-30, 2025, hosted by Arizona State University.

Their goal is to attend two meets per semester, totaling four per school year.

While the club embraces competition, it also welcomes swimmers of all skill levels, even “absolute beginners."

“We always encourage new swimmers to come,” Dearing said. “Swimming is such a good lifetime sport and lifestyle activity.”

Swimmers describe the team as inclusive and supportive, with many enjoying the workouts and camaraderie.

Member Lana Esaid recalled feeling nervous before her first meet, but the team rallied around her.

“It feels like a family,” Esaid said. “It’s quite heartwarming to see them [club leaders and fellow members] always open to instruct you or help you get better.”

While the club doesn’t offer lessons, it cultivates a supportive and welcoming environment where members can ask for help, refine their skills and build lasting friendships.

“We all have such a good time every time we get together,” Noland said.

Redhawk Swim also fosters a broader community through Discord, an online messaging platform where Dearing and Noland share swim sets for those who want to stay active without formally joining the club.

For more information, follow @redhawkswimteam on Instagram or contact Jacobb Dearing at jdearing2s@semo.edu.