Anna Kirby, 11, has beaten three records for her junior year of swim. On the first weekend of this month, the Stroudsburg swim team performed at districts at Parkland High School.
Anna has been working hard for this goal since her sophomore year of high school. After her freshman year of swim, she chose to focus on swimming all year round.
Not only Anna, but Coach William Conklyn as well, have been hoping all season for Kirby to break more than one school record and a spot on the podium at districts.
Anna’s teammate Rene Halas, 12, says ¨She is such a fun person to swim with. She tries hard during sets but she is also someone you know you could always have fun conversations with while we are in between sets. Also watching her swim has honestly been one of the highlights of Stroudsburg swim. Her races are always super great and she is overall just a great teammate.¨
Kirby’s first beat was at the end of January at an away meet in Northampton. Before that meet the school record for the 100-yard freestyle was 54.43 seconds, the new record set by Kirby is 53.97 seconds.
Kirby then beat the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:02.18, beating the previous record by .46 seconds. The third record beat by Kirby was the 50-yard freestyle. The previous record time was held at 24.77.
Kirby’s big plans do not just stop in high school. Kirby has been scouted by a couple of colleges she wishes to attend for swimming. Her major is still undecided.
Kirby’s career is nowhere near finished. She says “I hope to keep progressing in the future.”
Swim plays a huge role in Kirby’s life. Kirby does not have much downtime. She started swimming at 9 years old and then competitive swimming at 10 years old. Kirby swims club for a local YMCA team.
Kirby currently holds the record at 24.18, an accomplishment she already made at a club swim meet. It just did not count. Kirby will continue her swim season at states on March 12th, 13th, and 14th.
There, she will compete in the 50-yard freestyle. Kirby says “My team and coaches are supportive and my coaches push me hard because they know my potential.”