Fife swimmer is inspiration to all

Photos by david b. hardt

SIERRA LANDHOLM HAS HAD AN IMPORTANT INFLUENCE UPON THE SWIMMERS AT FIFE HIGH SCHOOL.

A year and half ago, Fife freshmen Sierra Landholm wanted to do something to keep in shape and be active in school, so she decided that she would join the swim team. The swim team to her wasn’t intimidating, even though they were highly competitive, winning three league championships in the past three years, as well as coming in fourth place in state.

Landholm would quickly find her place on the team and moreover, be an inspiration to those around her. Landholm glides through the water gracefully, but it is when she gets out of the pool you see just how skilled she really is – Landholm was born with only one leg.

“You know it is really not that different swimming with one leg; I don’t change my strokes or my turns or anything. This all started when my mother signed me up for lessons, from there it just took off,” Lanholm said.

“The biggest thing that I have had to overcome is when I go to meets and I have people stare at me. You know when I have my goggles and cap on, people often say I look intimidating. I currently do the backstroke and butterfly. I made districts and I also will be going to Disabilities State, so I am really excited about that. So is my mom. One of my all-time goals is to be in the Paralympics. I want to tell those that may have disabilities to never give up – try your best and keep on going. In the next three years my goal is going to state.”

Swimming Coach Jo Bushnell sees Lanholm a big part of the team.

“She is so inspirational to this team. She always does what is asked and she never complains,” Bushnell said. “I saw her at a meet last year and it was just impressive what she could do with just one leg versus what other can do with two. With one leg it a can throw your balance off, but she swims her heart out just like anyone else. She had a great stroke and great technique. She fits in so well I forget about her leg. During the season other teams often come up to me and tell me what an inspiration she is.”

Cross Country Runs On

During the Westside Classic Class 2A race at the American Lake Golf Course on Oct. 31, the Fife Lady Trojans continued their success. Senior Jaimie McFarland (4th, 19:45) and sophomore Nicole McEachron (7th, 20:17) qualified for WIAA 2A Washington State Championships on Nov. 7th at the Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

 “This season was very interesting. We tried to focus more on the team, hoping it would take us to state. Early in the season we had fought through some hard times figuring out how to race with each other. My strategy for districts was to stay with some of the Kingston girls. In the last part of the race, I really tried to keep ahead of the girls right behind me, so I really went all out,” McFarland said. “As for state, I am trying to be realistic and go for the top 15. I know it is going to be tough, though.”

McEachron, a sophomore, shared her thoughts on the season and the state championships.

“This year I just wanted to do better then I did last year; improving on my times. I really have been working on my pacing. My strategy at districts was just trying to stay behind Jamie. For state, I want to do better then last year and come in the top thirty.”

Football Season Over

As senior running back/linebacker Tyler Richard glanced up at the scoreboard during the final seconds of the game that they would lose 38-23 against the North Mason Bulldogs last week, he knew that the playoff hopes were over.

 “It seemed like this year we had two football teams. We had the inconsistent Trojans and we had the team that was unstoppable. Unfortunately, the inconsistent team showed up for the last game.” “I came out in my senior year expecting huge things, but in the end, I really just had a ton of fun. I am not going to miss the conditioning, or all the hard stuff, but I am really going to miss camaraderie with the team,” senior quarterback Devan Bennion said. “We all believed this season we were going to make to playoffs – even up to when the horn went off at the end of the game.”

Commenting rules