White Lake Fifth-Grader Wins USA Swimming State Championship

Lakewood Elementary fifth-grader Emma Hazel became a state champion at the age of 10. After turning 11 earlier this month, she is taking a noticeable step up in competition.

Hazel, a White Lake resident and daughter of Kelly and Dan, recently competed at the State Championships for USA sanctioned swimming and took home the individual title in the 100-meter butterfly in Zeeland. She also placed among the top six finishers in her age group in five other events—the 100 backstroke, 100 individual medley (IM), 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 50 butterfly. Hazel finished fifth overall among all the participants.

She began swimming on a team when she was 5 years old and was quickly swimming with girls three, four and five years older than her.

“She has participated in a number of sports, but she really has really always just taken to swimming,” said Kelly Hazel. “It’s funny because I remember two years ago she didn’t want to compete in the butterfly, but two years later she’s a state champion in it.”

Leading up to the most recent state competition, Emma practiced for three hours five or six days a week. One of those hours included “dry land” activities such as conditioning and stretching. The other two hours were spent in the pool.

To be eligible, she had to qualify for the Central Zone Swim Meet in Wisconsin – she did, placing eighth. She also competed in Hawaii in an open water 2K race, finishing first in her age group and 20th overall last year.

“There she competed with swimmers from all around the country and there were swimmers from different parts of the world,” Kelly said.

Hazel has competed with the Waterford Kingfish for a number of years. She is unsure what events she may excel in over the next few years because she will continue to get stronger as she matures, but what Hazel does know for now is that she is proud of her most recent accomplishments.

Hazel knew what happened right when she finished the 100-butterfly event in Zeeland.

“I heard my mom scream when I hit the wall and I knew I was the first to touch it,” Hazel said. “As I move up to the next age level, I will need to work harder. It can be hard for an 11-year-old to qualify for titles then because you are competing against some older swimmers.”

In January Hazel was chosen by Michigan Swimming (USA Swimming local committee) to compete in the Quad Meet to represent Michigan. She will be competing against swimmers from the Central Zone Meet, that includes Michigan and three other states, in the coming months, and she hopes to qualify for the zone final this summer in Indianapolis.

One thing that Kelly and Dan are always aware of is the need to make sure that Hazel still has time to be a kid. She normally practices three to five days a week.

“She is just now 11,” said Kelly of her daughter. “She still loves to swim and to compete.”

Lakewood Principal Julie Bedford said that Hazel excels not just in the pool but as a student.

“Emma is a child after my own heart. She has the strength, conviction, determination and athletic ability to go far in her swimming, and ultimately in life. I cannot wait to read all about her successes as she makes her way through life.”