Jackson sophomore offers quiet leadership

Jackson sophomore swimmer Ryan Gibson already has earned state-qualifying times in six different events this season, but he rarely talks about his success.

His mother, Chris Gibson, said that before her son joined the Indians team, many of Ryan's friends were unaware that he even was a swimmer, despite competing in the sport since he was 4 years old.

"Unless you're around him on nights and weekends, then you don't necessarily know that [he swims]," Chris said.

"He's just always excelled in the water. It's not something he ever talks about. It's not something he talks with his friends about. ... It's all in his heart."

Ryan has been an important member of the Jackson program from day one. When Gibson joined as a freshman last year, the Indians team was in its first season and had many inexperienced members, including four of six seniors who had never before swam competitively.

Gibson helped his team earn points and remain competitive by swimming in multiple events throughout the season, which began with Ryan qualifying for the 100 butterfly in the Indians' first meet.

Gibson has continued to do the same and more as a sophomore, including helping this year's 400 freestyle relay team qualify for the state competition.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Jackson sophomore Ryan Gibson swims in the 100-yard butterfly at the Cape Rock Invitational on Saturday.

The sophomore's shy personality keeps him from talking much about his success. He is quiet, and his family describes him as more of a listener than a talker.

He lets his swimming do the talking for him. And as an underclassman, he has developed into a quiet leader.

Gibson's state-qualifying events are the 200 freestyle (1 minute, 52 seconds), 200 individual medley (2:06.13), 100 freestyle (51.27), 100 butterfly (56.72), 500 freestyle (5:03.33) and 400 freestyle relay (3:30.50). His time in the 500 freestyle is 8.16 seconds faster than the qualifying time.

"Right off the bat, the No. 1 thing he did for us was qualify as a freshman on a first-year high school swimming team," Jackson coach Shana Kight said, discussing Gibson's importance to the program. "This is the type of swimmer every coach dreams of because he's just an all-around swimmer. He's so versatile. You can put him in any event."

Gibson's brother, senior Greg Gibson, said everyone on the team — including the upperclassmen — look up to Ryan.

"He's important because he brings a lot of points," said Greg, a member of the 400 freestyle relay with Ryan. "He's one of the silent leaders, but he's there nonetheless."

Despite Ryan being the top swimmer on his team during both years the program has existed, he does not feel like the team leader. He said he thinks of himself as one member who, like everyone else, works hard and has some fun.

"I just kind of feel like it's a bunch of guys who goof off and swim hard at the same time and just kind of mess around with everyone now and then," Ryan said.

Greg, who also runs cross country — which is his No. 1 sport over swimming — said his brother hardly talks about swimming or the reason he enjoys the sport so much.

"Why he swims, I don't know," Greg said. "It's just his thing. He dropped soccer for this and that's a big deal because he's a great soccer player. So I don't know. He doesn't talk about it a whole lot. ... I think he just swims because he's good at it and he likes it. It's a way to channel some energy and some frustration."

Chris said swimming suits Ryan's personality because it's more an individual sport than a team sport. She said she thinks Ryan likes how swimming does not force him to rely on others, but instead rely on himself. And she said he has confidence he can perform well.

"Greg is very social, so he needs a strong team behind him," Chris said. "Ryan is less social. He doesn't mind being around people. The team is nice, but if he went [to state] just him and a coach, he would go by himself and it wouldn't bother him at all. He wouldn't need to be around people."

Kight said Ryan is able to help in practice by showing the team the correct technique. She critiques Ryan's strokes in front of the team to show other members proper form.

"He gives the younger guys something to look up to," Kight said. "They can say, 'Hey, look at what Ryan does. Look at how he has helped the team. Not only has he improved personal times, but look at the points he provides to the team at these meets.' So the guys look up to him. They look at his strokes. ... They look at his starts. His turns."

Although he refrains from talking much about his passion for swimming, Gibson has made it known that upon graduating from high school, he hopes to swim at the University of Missouri. He said swimming for the Mizzou program has been a dream of his for a while, and whenever he swims, he is motivated by the goal.

For now, Gibson continues to help the Jackson team develop during its first few seasons. He was one of two members from the program to earn a trip to the state meet last fall. The other member was then-senior Nick Welker, who competed in the 500 freestyle.

Gibson competed in the 100 butterfly (23rd place) and 100 backstroke (32nd place) at state. He likely will swim the 500 freestyle and 100 butterfly this season. Swimmers are allowed to compete in only two individual events at the state meet.

Chris said her son was nervous — which is unusual for him — at last year's state competition, but she thinks he will have more confidence and perform better this fall.

And although Ryan enjoys the challenge of individual races, he cares about the team and is glad to be a member and helping out.

"It's a swim team that he's proud of," Chris said. "It's a big part of his life."