b' swimmingWhat it takes to be a swimmerBy Healthy Knight News staff Russell Byers Charter SchoolAkida Neely became a championattending Russell Byers Chartershe was in fifth grade, she practiced competitive swimmer and hasSchool. I loved being in thetwice a day on three days: at 5 a.m. accomplishments to prove it. water and found immense joy inand again at 4:30 p.m. I trained like She learned to swim when she wascompeting. I always wanted to win. an Olympian, she says.4 years old at the Marcus FosterMrs. Neely says her favorite event pool in the Nicetown section ofwas the 100-yard freestyle. The Philadelphia. The lessons were free. event involves swimming four laps of When she was 6, she joined thea 25-yard pool.highly regarded PhiladelphiaShe includes among her greatest Department of Recreation swimaccomplishments qualifying for the team, known as PDR. Her coachAkida NeelyUSA Swimming Junior Nationals and was Jim Ellis who founded the teamChampion Swimmer earning a full four-year swimming in the early 1970s. It was the firstscholarship to the University of Black swim team in the UnitedMr. Ellis taught her that you gottaConnecticut. She was the first Black States, according to USA Swimming.believe, she says. There is nothingswimmer on the team, she says. Mr. Ellis has received many honorsin life that you cant achieve but it all including being inducted into thestarts with having the confidence toToday, Mrs. Neely volunteers as a International Swim Coaches Hall ofbelieve it can be done. coach with PDRs youth swimmers, Fame in 2019. As a child, Mrs. Neely spentages 6 to 13. I coach to give back to the program that developed me, she Swimming was my first love,countless hours training. Shesays. says Mrs. Neely who has one childpracticed six days a week. When Page 14 illustration by Suhlayah Tisdale, 4th grade, Russell Byers Healthy Knight News14B Y K I D S , F O R K I D S | S p r i n g 2 0 2 4'