Whiz Kid: Emma Speegle Makes A Splash on the YMCA Swim Team

student Emma Speegle began swimming for the YMCA Wahoo's Swim Team just last summer and recently participated in the New England Swim Championships.

Name: Emma Speegle, Grade 5

School: Gaudet Middle School & YMCA Swim Team Member

Nominated By: Mom Julie Speegle

Accomplishments: Emma recently participated in the New England Swim Championships in the 50 meter freestyle race—an impressive feat for someone who only started swimming and learned her first competitive swim strokes last summer. 

Key to Awesomeness: Emma has dabbled in many different sports over the years. However, her parents said she had not found her niche until she discovered competitive swimming just last summer. 

Emma spent last summer attending many water sports camps at the Newport County YMCA, said mom Julie Speegle.

"Emma spent a lot of time in the pool and although she did not know a legal stroke, she expressed interest in trying out for the Wahoo's Swim Team," she said.

Along with Emma, the Speegle family and YMCA coach assumed Emma would be a good fit for the novice team but everyone quickly realized her natural potential and hard work.

"She won numerous local competitions in the pool and quickly became one of the fastest freestylers in her age group (ages 9-10). Recently, Emma qualified for the New England Swim Championships in the 50 Freestyle—a rare occurrence for a first time swimmer," her mom said, calling Emma's first season of swimming "an amazing journey for the whole family."

"The friendships, teamwork, focus, compassion and love she has for the sport of swimming has forever changed her," said Julie. "Emma will never forget this year and no matter how she does at the New England Swim Championships at Harvard, she is a winner with parents who are sooo proud of her."

At the New England YMCA Swim Championship Meet two weeks ago, Emma swam the 50 meter freestyle race in 31.24 seconds, shaving off -0.5 seconds from her personal best and finishing 18th out of 59 girls in her age 9-10 age group for that event.

Congratulations, Emma!

Know a great kid who deserves to be recognized? Submit your nomination to angelal@patch.com.