SWIMMING ANNOUNCES 2013 JOEL FERRELL WINNER

 Written by: AAU Staff  

Swimming Joel Ferrell 2013 Award Winners

Kynlee from Arkansas AAU District and competed with Team Arkansas at the 2013 AAU Junior Olympic Games in Detroit.  She is 15 years old, she been swimming for 7 years and has overcome a lot in her short life.  This past summer she lost her aunt and 8 year old cousin in a car accident; these two individuals she was very close too and it really hit her hard.  She has a demanding schedule with school and swim lessons but still finds time to help take care of her 5 younger siblings.  She is very active and involved in her church.  Throughout the year, she has worked very hard to drop her times; winning the High Point Award at the Arkansas District All Star Meet and the South Arkansas Swim Conference.  Derek from the Hawaii AAU District has been swimming competitively since the age of 5 years old.  He competed this past summer at the 2013 AAU Junior Olympic Games in Detroit with the American Renaissance Academy.  At the age of 17, Derek is about to start his Senior year of High School and competitive swimming has helped to open multiple doors to Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3 Universities.  As a captain of his swim team, Derek is a natural leader.  Outside of his demanding swim schedule and training, he is a member of the National Honors Society and carries a 4.0 GPA.  He enjoys teaching young students how to swim with the hope that swimming will open up a  world of opportunities for them as it has for him

Congratulations to both young athletes on their achievements!