BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — Katie Ledecky is making history at this year’s Olympic Games. The 27-year-old is now the most decorated U.S. female Olympian with 14 medals. While she’s making an impact on the international stage, she’s also inspiring young swimmers right here in South Dakota.
“I kind of want to try going to the Olympic trials someday when I’m older and try and get like some more first places,” 11-year-old swimmer Kjersten Johnson said.
Johnson has been swimming for three years. She currently competes with the Brookings Swim Club and already got her eyes on gold. Some of that comes from watching Olympian Katie Ledecky.
“It’s really cool because it makes me feel like I can do whatever they do because they’re so good. Katie Ledecky has been getting gold since she was 15 years old. I think that’s really cool,” Johnson said.
Johnson isn’t the only one inspired by Ledecky’s legacy.
“It’s crazy how she can just keep wanting to get better and better. Like, she knows she’s the best by like 20 seconds already, but she just keeps getting better and better,” 14-year-old Kalla Foerster said.
For Foerster, this sport has involved several 6 a.m. practices. But those early mornings have also brought her several opportunities. She competed at a zones meet this weekend for her third time.
“You go and compete against the best in all the other states. And it’s where all Olympians start. They have to start at that competition and get all the way up to there,” Foerster said.
Watching Ledecky climb her way up to nine Olympic gold medals has helped the Brookings team set goals for its upcoming season.
“It’s honestly amazing to see how much of a female dominant swimmer she is and honestly to just see her grit and drive,” 13-year-old McKinley Schwab said. “It’s honestly, really inspiring to young swimmers and me.”
Schwab has been swimming for nearly six years. Watching Ledecky find her way to big competitions reminds her that she can live up to those accomplishments, too.
“I want to say thanks to the people in swim lessons who taught me how to swim. I think that honestly just drives me to where I am today,” Schwab said.
The Brookings Swim Club started in 1973. Their upcoming season begins next month.
