Success in any sport won’t come without consistent effort and hard work. The West Jordan swim team is making significant strides this season. 

The swimmers are also more eager than ever to prove themselves against their own personal best times and the competition. 

“I have noticed that overall, more swimmers are committed,” head coach Sara Mitchell said. “More are returning with specific goals for their season. They have events they are ready to focus on and time goals they want to achieve. They see their potential as a team to take it to the next level.  They're hungry for personal and team success.”

West Jordan has some good opportunities in Region 4 meets this season to pick up victories. But Mitchell focuses more on each swimmer simply doing his or her best. The Jaguars also support one another and cheer on teammates. Mitchell said everyone on the team is competitive and intent on bringing the team as close as possible to the top of the region. 

“The athletes are driven by [personal best times] and rewards,” Mitchell said. “They know when they're doing well. They're also super supportive of each other. I love seeing a group of swimmers at the turn end during meets, cheering on their peers. They have a lot of energy and positive vibes. We have some fierce competitors who leave it all in the pool when they compete. They are seeing the value in building mental toughness and choosing to fight for the best finish they can get.”

In previous seasons, the Jaguars have been on the young side. However, this year, one of West Jordan’s biggest strengths is the number of upperclassmen on the roster. Not only this, but several swimmers have now been with the program for all four years of their high school careers. In addition, the Jaguars have a solid group of freshmen who aren’t newcomers to competitive swimming but have instead been on swim teams before. Mitchell loves that many of her swimmers compete in multiple events.

“We always work to develop our swimmers to be able to swim any event, and we have a good core of swimmers who are capable of and willing to swim all eight individual events,” Mitchell said. 

Mitchell has also devised a unique approach to leadership on the team. She has given a lot of responsibility to her captains, and she said the results have been positive. 

“This year, our team captains are each responsible for a ‘squad’—a subgroup of about 10 swimmers on the team, drafted by each captain,” she said. “The squads are a mix of newer and more experienced swimmers. I've enjoyed seeing the captains take on more leadership responsibilities, and the squads develop camaraderie and identity within the team.”

West Jordan has no shortage of leaders and strong performers on the team. 

On the girls team, junior Hailey Hernandez, who swims the 200-yard freestyle, 500 free and 100 breaststroke, has stood out this season. 

“[Hernandez] swims double workouts and is so driven to make it to state,” she said. “She is currently our highest-ranked swimmer on the Utah Top 100 list. She is also kind to her fellow swimmers and a very empathetic leader.”  

Another key swimmer is Senior Colton Reid, who swims the 50 free and 100 breast. He is in his second year on the team. Mitchell speaks highly of him, along with senior twins Luke Mitchell (who swims the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 50 free and 200 individual medley) and Cali Mitchell (who swims the 50 free and 100 back). 

“Reid is such a positive influence, so upbeat, and he will race his heart out to close out a win in his events,” Mitchell said. “[Luke Mitchell and Cali Mitchell] are multisport athletes who care so much about this team. They lead by example, working through their physical challenges (joint injuries, asthma) to show the team how to push through obstacles and achieve, no excuses. They mentor their peers. They are the benchmarks for what the newer swimmers want to become. Thankfully, they are not the only ones. We have multiple swimmers who mentor and lead, and drive themselves to be better, without any specific or official role.” 

Other standouts include senior Teagan Trim (200 free), senior Jesson Sandstrom (500 free), junior Quinn Carter (100 fly), sophomore Cole Wilson (all events), freshman Will Mitchell (100 fly) and sophomore Viviane Pryor (100 Breast).

By the time the calendar turns to February and the postseason arrives, Mitchell hopes her team is prepared to make an impact at state. She believes she has the swimmers to accomplish some lofty goals. 

“We want to take a male and a female relay team to state,” she said. “We want to have four or more males and three or more females qualify for individual events in the state meet. We have a goal to finish in the top half of our region. Our team chose the motto/theme this year of ‘Never Back Down.’ I want them to see every challenge, whether it's getting up in the morning to get to the pool on time, reaching a state time, winning their race, trying a new event or pushing through physical challenges, as an opportunity to stand up for themselves, represent their team and never back down.”

Mitchell is grateful for the support of her two assistant coaches, who “make such a difference” for the team, she said. She is also thankful to work with such great young people and is honored to play a role in their development.

“The energy these swimmers bring to the meets makes me almost cry with joy,” she said. “I'm so invested in their potential. I have always enjoyed cheering on the success of those around me, especially my children. This team is an extension of that.  I care about their success; I care about them as people. We work hard in the workouts, and they may feel like I'm their drill sergeant in the mornings. But when it comes to competitions, I am 100% their cheerleader. I'm looking for the good they do so we can recognize it, celebrate it and build on it. I love seeing them drop time, gain confidence and build trust in themselves, each other and our program.”