On November 4, the Memphis Shelby County Interscholastic Athletic Association (MSCIAA) hosted its second swim meet of the season for high schoolers at Hickory Hill Community Center.
“Swimming is a lifetime sport,” said Kai Washington, head athletic trainer at MSCIAA. “It’s easy on your body and joints and something you can do as you age like tennis, swim, and golf.”
In recent years, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) swim program has seen a decline in participation. Many high schoolers aren’t aware that swimming is even an option through MSCIAA. Washington encourages students who have swum in middle school, know a swimmer, or simply enjoy swimming for fun to get involved. “Ask a teacher or athletic director how you can join,” she advised.
The MSCIAA swim program has existed for more than a decade, offering students the chance to develop athletic skills and build lifelong healthy habits. “I've been swimming for about seven years,” said Brooklynn H., a freshman at Germantown High School. “I like swimming because it’s fun. Since I've done it from a young age, it feels natural for me. Other people should swim because it’s stress relieving and helps your mental health.”
Her coach, Shyla Tucker, also serves as the athletic director at Germantown High and has been with the District over 27 years. “They [sports] instill school pride and give students something to look forward to,” Tucker said. “Starting in middle school, sports teach teamwork, healthy competition, discipline, and hard work. Those lessons carry over into academics. Typically, student-athletes are high achievers because there’s a GPA requirement to participate.”
If you or someone you know is interested in swimming, contact MSCIAA’s office at (901) 416-5764 or email Kai Washington at .
If you have a story about a MSCS student, teacher, or school to highlight, please email us at communications@scsk12.org. Include the school name, story details, and an SCSK12.ORG email for follow-up.