When eighth-grader Jaclyn Cowles made the Spencerport Varsity Swim Team this fall, no one was surprised. Her sister, Jillian, who is now a senior at Spencerport High School, also made varsity when she was in eighth grade. The Cowles sisters have been swimming since Jillian was 5 and Jaclyn was 2. Jaclyn, 13 and Jillian, 17, are daughters of J.D. (John David ) and Joan Cowles of Colby Street in Spencerport. When the girls were young, Joan, who was a teacher, took a job at the YMCA as the Youth Services Director, so she could have more time with her daughters. The girls were often at the Y and took swimming lessons there from Martha Berger. "Jaclyn was swimming without a bubble when she was 2 and going to the bottom of the pool by age 3," Joan says. "Jillian was on the swim team at the Y at age 5, and Jaclyn was often there watching her sister." Joan says that one day the coach decided to cut down a suit so that it fit Jaclyn, and put her on the team too. "At Jaclyn's first meet," Joan says, "all of the family was there (to watch). She swam down half of the pool and saw them. She stopped to wave." The girls transferred to the Westside Swim Club when Jillian was in fifth grade. At that time Scott Hunsinger was their coach. Now Kendra Bush is coaching them. In the varsity meets, Jillian swims the 100 meter back stroke, the 50 meter back stroke in the medley relay and the 100 freestyle in the 400 free relay. Jaclyn swims the 50 meter breast stroke, the 100 freestyle in the medley relay and the 500 meter free style. Spencerport Coach Eileen Buck states, "They are team players. We will miss Jillian, but look forward to several more years with Jaclyn." Jacque and Jillian will compete at the Varsity Sectionals later in November. |
