Before getting into the swimming pool for his race, Maizen Brown, 8, hears his coaches tell him, “You got it, you can do this, Maizen. You’re strong!”

He is. Those words gave him the motivation to go on and place in the 25-meter breaststroke race on July 26 at the McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center.

Maizen is part of the Salt River Eagles Swim Team and has been since he was five. The youth swim team at the Ske:g Himdag Ki: is coached by Emma Gordon and Holland Jesclard. The season typically begins during the beginning of the summer, about two weeks after school lets out. 

 “The swim team is an opportunity for SRPMIC youth ages 5-17 to participate in a recreational swim team,” said Community Recreational Services Aquatics Manager Kyle Stephens.

The team participates in meets in Scottsdale. The aquatics admin team, Stephens and Devyn Mennenga, coordinate with the City of Scottsdale leadership for aquatics regarding participation, Stephen explains. “We participate as our own team against their teams. They have hundreds of swimmers; we have a handful.” 

As the season goes on, swimmers practice drills that enhance performance in each type of stroke along with correct kicking and body position, Coach Jesclard said. “Towards the end of the season, we fine tune under-waters and the more advanced skills,” she explains. The team practices from Monday-Thursday during the season to perfect their skills in time for races, where their hard work and dedication is put to the test and paid off.

“Seeing the kids do well in their races and come up and show their ribbons and what they place they got, its genuinely one of the best feelings ever,” Jesclard said.