By Ivy Knapp

Moore junior Jack Witte has spent nearly a decade in the water. He remembers exactly what pulled him into the sport in the first place.

“I have been swimming for nine years, and I started swimming because I was watching swim nationals that year and thought it was so cool,” he said.

Backstroke comes the most naturally to Jack.

“My strongest stroke is backstroke because I am really fast at it and I find it really easy,” he said. Even though backstroke might be his best stroke, his favorite race is a different one. “My favorite event to compete in is 200 freestyle,” he added. It’s also the race he’s most proud of.

Jack has a good routine before he steps behind the blocks. “The way I prepare before a meet is I visualize the event that I am swimming, and I listen to music while I am, so I remember the music while I swim the event,” Jack said.

That mix of focus and rhythm keeps him grounded when the pressure rises.

He credits a lot of his growth to the coaches who believed in him. “The person that supported me the most was coach David from Norman YMCA. He was always so proud of me every time I was dropping time,” Jack said. “Another person that inspired me is my new coach Adamo because he always makes me go above and beyond to swim,” he added.

Jack carries Coach David’s memory with him every time he races.

“I stay motivated by doing the rest of my swim career for coach David who passed away,” he said.

Balancing school and practice is something that comes naturally. He tries to get all his work done before practices and events. Drama is his favorite class that he gets to be a part of. “I get to express my love for acting and all my friends are in drama,” Jack said.

He also leans on teammates like Maddox McHenery, who pushes him to be better. Jack has great advice for younger swimmers.

“Don’t quit when it gets tough because that only makes you stronger,” he said.

His goals this year are made. He wants to drop time in my 200 freestyle and hopes swimming continues with him after high school.