Encouragement from cousin to get into swimming pays off for Jackson's Jace Glenn

Jackson senior Jace Glenn originally got into swimming because of encouragement from his cousin, Josh Glenn, who swam at Cape Central and was a part of the 200-yard medley relay team that won the state championship in 2019.

"I was really hesitant. I didn't want to do it," Glenn said, "but he got me into it, said, 'Just give it a shot.' So I tried it my freshman year. At first, I really did hate it, to be honest, it just wasn't my thing."

That didn't stop his cousin from getting Glenn to stick with the sport. By the end, the encouragement paid off.

"I fell in love with the sport by the end of my freshman year," Glenn said. "It kept pushing me and driving me to be better and just improving my physical strength and endurance."

It's a classic tale of how a Tiger helped an Indian find his flippers. Glenn grew with the sport, and the effects of swimming proved beneficial both in and out of competition.

"Outside of competition I think it's a very good way to work on your body and self-esteem," Glenn said. "At least for me, it's a good mental thing, keep pushing myself, keep telling myself I need to beat this time and improve on this. It works all of your body so it's a really good way of working out."

For Glenn, senior day at the SEMO Recreation Center on Oct. 23, was a moment of reflection.

"It shows my growth. I've been on the swim team for all four years of high school, and it just means a lot to me," Glenn said. "Personally it's like a look back thing, and I get to think about where I started from.

"I got to build myself up through the ranks and now I'm here where I am," he said. "I'm making some of the best times I possibly could be and I'm really satisfied with my work effort."

Glenn started the senior day by earning state consideration as a part of the Jackson 200-yard medley relay. Glenn said his goal is to finish his career in the state championships with his teammates.

"If I make it to state, it would be my first year making it to state," Glenn said. "That's been my goal since freshman year, to work on myself and keep pushing and trying, and all that hard work to get to state. Now finally I can do it in the breaststroke, it makes me overjoyed and really happy to look forward to swimming."

He will at least have one more chance to make an impression in the SEMO Conference meet on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Southeast Missouri State.