Olympic hopeful trains despite setbacks

By Makenzie Fuller and Hallie Cichos

Photo Courtesy: Sommer Waldron

Here at MHS, we are very involved in all things football and basketball. We all go to an occasional soccer and baseball game, but there are other sports than the ones that are school sponsored.

Genna Waldron, Senior, started swimming the summer before seventh grade when she was living in Mesa, Arizona. Swimming started out as a hobby that she enjoyed but never thought about creating a career for herself in. Waldron said, “…starting the 2008 Beijing Olympics, I saw Michael Phelps swim and I was like ‘I want to do that!’” Waldron would later be on the U.S.A. swim team with Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Missy Franklin as well as some of the other swimmers we saw in this year’s Olympic games in Rio.

As well as swimming on the U.S. swim team, the Waldron twins swam on their school team. Waldron said, “…the Varsity team was like so hard to make it on to that team. I was so proud of myself but we did Varsity for 2 ½ years and then we moved here.” While living in Arizona she swam in weekly meets with her team. Waldron competed in the 200 IM, which involves 50 meters of the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.
Before moving to Rexburg the Waldron twins had their sights set on the 2016 Rio Olympics, but the move to Rexburg interfered with their training and put their Olympic dreams on hold. While living in Rexburg, Waldron has occasionally gone to BYU-I  and does laps to keep in shape. She has also participated in a WSI/ Lifeguarding course so she can teach other people how to swim.