Saying Goodbye to Our Swimming Seniors
By Brody Dinan
Tribal Tribune
Fairfield’s swim team celebrated its seniors Jan. 25 at the Cincinnati Christian/Ross meet at Fairfield YMCA. The five seniors – Gavin Blau, Addyson Hupp, Jonathan Kruger, Alivia Scott, and Kaitlyn Sheldrick – were honored with a ceremony of walking down the poolside with their families, along with their bio sheets being announced over the PA system.
In addition, the five seniors also participated in a special race near the end of the meet where they all dressed as pirates – complete with swords – and raced up and back in the pool in a rubber dinghy. Before the meet commenced, Sheldrick sang the National Anthem.
Here are details about the Fairfield Five:
* Gavin Blau: Gavin has participated in swimming for Fairfield for 6 years, and Rolling Hills Swim Team for 5 years. He has received recognition for Athlete of the Week, Most Improved 2x, 4 varsity letters, is a 2x District qualifier, and a 50 breaststroke champion at the Southwest Ohio Classic. His favorite memory is dying his hair with the whole team his freshman year. After high school, Gavin plans on attending Centre College where he will continue swimming, and major in either business marketing or pre-law/political science.
* Addy Hupp: Addy has participated in swimming for Fairfield for 7 years. She has received recognition for Most Improved Swimmer for the 22-23 season, and Athlete of the Week. Her favorite memory is when the boys and girls dressed up for sectionals. After high school, Addy plans on attending Cincinnati State or UC to study radiology.
* Jon Kruger: Jon has participated in swimming for Fairfield for 6 years, and Rolling Hills Swim Team for 7 years. He has received recognition as Most Improved Swimmer, Coach’s Award, and 4 varsity letters. His favorite memory is going to Canton for the Christmas Invitational his sophomore year. After high school, he plans to learn welding.
* Alivia Scott: Alivia has participated in swimming for Fairfield for 6 years, and has swam competitively for 10 years. She has participated in National Honor Society for two years, served as a Tribe leader, and as a YMCA lifeguard/swim instructor. She has received recognition as a GMC champion, an All-Conference accolade, a District qualifier, a Powell Crosley national team member and 4 varsity letters. Her favorite memory was going to Canton for the Christmas Invitational and getting to travel with the team. After high school, she plans to continue her athletic and academic career at a 4-year university, majoring in nursing.
* Kaitlyn Sheldrick: Kaitlyn has participated in swimming for 6 years for both Fairfield and Rolling Hills. She also has participated in Drama Club since 7th grade and is a Thespian officer, and also is in the show choir Choraliers for 2 years. She has received 3 varsity letters. Kaitlyn’s favorite memory was the day they played water polo during practice and she got hit in the face multiple times from Gavin throwing the ball. After high school, Kaitlyn plans on attending a college down South to study marine sciences.
Ending their years of swimming at Fairfield means conflicting thoughts from the team.
Said Blau: “I’m very mixed on my emotions when it comes to this being one of my last meets. I’m sad of course because I love these people but I’m also excited because I get to have the opportunity to continue the sport I love at a higher level. While there’s been many ups and downs, I am extremely grateful and happy for everything. Approaching the end of the year, my big thing will be to just enjoy it while I can. I’m looking forward to every moment I have with these people to close out the year.”
He continued, “Personally it’s been my toughest season I’ve ever had as a senior. I’ve taken a completely different role in this team and it’s also been very difficult for me personally. I’ve tried my absolute best to set an example and to be a leader for these kids because I see them as my family. I’ve had some physical issues that have limited me this season, (but) I’m very happy with how the season has gone and I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to do it with.”
Junior Olivia Blau – Gavin’s teammate and sister — had this to say about seeing her brother be honored at the ceremony, along with being an up and coming senior: “My older brother is probably the most important person in my life. He’s the reason I joined swimming, so watching him finally be honored as a great swimmer and as a senior was super emotional. I am super proud of him and I can’t wait to watch him swim in college. I will be a senior next year and I absolutely can’t wait! I look up to the seniors now because they are all great leaders, people and swimmers. I hope to be as great as they are and I hope to be just as great of a senior as my brother is.”
The swim team, coached by Craig Reed, next competes at the GMC Championship meet at Mason High School on Saturday, Feb. 3.
Congratulations to the Fairfield swim seniors of 2024 and good luck!
More photos of Senior Night from Tribal Tribune staffer Brody Dinan and journalism instructor Mark Braam can be downloaded from bit.ly/FFSwimSenior24.
