Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Sloane Lightfoot

(photo credit: Deanna Jasek)

The girls swimming program is coming off their best team finish in school history. Placing third in the state last season has not deterred the young Wolves, rather, it has lit a fire under the team to be the first team state champion in OE history. Although the program has an abundance of individual talent, highlighted by sophomore Grace Cooper’s fastest 50 time in the nation for 15 year olds this past summer, to win a state championship a team requires more than individual stars. It requires a depth of talent, and a dedication from all members of the program. Sophomore Sloane Lightfoot provides not only talent, but exemplifies the dedication and drive it takes for a team to be successful, which is why she is this week’s Oswego East student athlete of the week.

Sloane first tried her hand at swimming at nine years old for Delta Aquatics in Oswego. Her mother, Catherine Lightfoot, remembers Sloane as a kid who tried everything, saying, “over the years she tried dance, soccer, softball, cheer, track, and cross country.” Playing multiple sports helped teach Sloane what it takes to be successful, and she soon devoted the time necessary to excel in swimming. “[Sloane] learned that she was capable of doing whatever she put her mind to and at age 13 decided to really commit to swimming,” said Catherine.

Swimming is a sport that takes an epic amount of dedication and time commitment in order to excel, by having to practice in both the morning and afternoon at times, and an off-season that is virtually non-existent. But Sloane, and her teammates, understand what’s at stake for this season, and are committed to putting the time in the pool and dry land to be successful.

Because so much time is required, teammates are able to forge an unbreakable bond. Sloane believes that bond is what makes this group so special, saying, “I have more motivation and determination to get better.”
In the pool, Sloane’s best skill is distance swimming. She swims the 500 freestyle, which is 20 lengths of the pool, and her current personal best time is 5:19. She is hoping to improve that PR by at least six seconds this year. Sloane’s best events are longer than those offered by the IHSA, the 1000 and the mile. This past summer Sloane qualified for the USA Swimming Sectional meet, a college level competition. Her head coach, Deryl Leubner, says Sloane, “is an incredibly hard worker and challenges herself everyday.”

Hard work and persistence has been Sloane’s calling card for attacking life. She sports a 3.94 G.P.A., which was earned through a tough course load including Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry. Her hope is she can use that scientific knowledge and combine it with her passion for helping others by majoring in nursing. Her Women’s Choir teacher, Chelsea Rhoades, believes she will excel as a nurse, saying, “I think Sloane’s positivity, and helpful attitude will make her successful in nursing.” Catherine Lightfoot also understands how her daughter’s positivity helps impact her team, saying, “Sloane is very positive and determined, and has a happy, fun-loving, outgoing personality. Regardless if she in in the classroom or pool, she gives 100% and never gives up.”

The girls swim team has the opportunity to bring home more hardware to add to their collection, provided the team’s depth can continue making positive strides. For her part, Sloane will continue doing whatever is necessary to help the team succeed, all the while keeping a positive attitude to help uplift others. In her now second year of high school, Sloane offers some sound advice to future Wolves, saying, “Don’t procrastinate, and people in this school are very helpful. Don’t be intimidated and afraid to ask questions.” Sloane and her teammates are hoping they can help push each other to an OE school first state championship trophy.