Sports editor
Garrett Alleven has only been swimming year-round for one year, but don’t tell that to his opponents.
The recently-turned 10-year-old qualified for the Missouri Valley Division I championships in eight events, and will compete Friday through Sunday at Wichita’s Garvey Center.
The meet will close out the Missouri Valley short-distance season for Garrett and the other swimmers.
Garrett, who is a member of the 9-10 Newton Nitros, is a typical fourth grader who enjoys baseball, soccer, swimming, and of course, video games.
However, his father Gary said when it comes time to swim, that is all that matters.
“Before and after, it’s just, ‘Let’s go play the (Nintendo) DS’,” Gary said, “but as soon as he gets up on the blocks, it’s business time. You can see the tiger in his eye.”
Garrett said the competition is what drives him.
“I like it because you get to race against people,” Garrett said. “It’s really fun because you can see who you are faster than, and who you are slower than, and try to beat them.”
Gary said one of his favorite things to do now is watch Garrett in the water.
“The one thing that just amazes me about him is that his technique is so beautiful,” Gary said. “His strokes just look so fluid. I don’t know how else to say it.”
Finding success
Garrett actually began swimming when he was 7 in a non-competitive format.
While he took second place in some events, it wasn’t until the next summer that he started winning events.
“When I was 8, I had a big jump, and I was really good,” Garrett said.
Last year, as a swimmer for the Marion summer team, Garrett really started to come along.
His coach was Marion Elementary School Principal Rod Garman, who has coached swimming at many levels.
He was impressed with Garrett this past summer, and is glad to see him swimming with the year-round Nitros.
“Qualifying for the Missouri Valley Division I Championship Meet is a big deal especially for a first time year-round swimmer,” Garman said.
Before the Division I level is Division II, while Zones, Junior Nationals, and Senior Nationals (Olympic trials) follow Garrett’s division.
Garman said most male swimmers don’t qualify for Zones until 13 or 14 years old, meaning Garrett could be ahead of the game.
Garrett’s 5-year-old brother, Will, has a theory for his brother’s success.
“He gets first a lot because he has big muscles,” Will said.
Gary praised Garman for his son’s success.
“I think what really helped him was when he was with Rod this summer,” Gary said. “He really helped set a good foundation.”
Whether it’s his muscles, Garman’s coaching, his family’s support, or a combination, it has led Garrett to eight qualifying events at the Division I meet this weekend.
He will be swimming in the 50-yard fly, backstroke, freestyle, and breaststroke events, the 100 IM, and free, and the 200 IM.
He also qualified in the 100 breaststroke but his 9-10-year-old group does not swim that at this meet.
Garrett has swum all around the state, including Kansas City and Lawrence, but will be at a familiar place this weekend at the Garvey Center.
The Alleven’s were just there Saturday as Garrett qualified for his final event.
“I like swimming it,” Garrett said of the Garvey Center.
With his success, it could be argued Garrett likes swimming everywhere.
“Just as long as he has fun, that’s the main thing,” Gary said.
His Nitros coach, Clinton Bailey, said that is the case.
“I actually think his success is also due to the fact that he allows himself to work hard and enjoy the sport,” Bailey said. “I would say he is very focused, but he does not spend all his energy getting overwhelmed by the sport.”
He should be having a lot of fun this summer according to his mother, Barbara.
“His coach said he could swim the long-course season (for the Nitros) and for the Marion team – so he will,” she said with a smile. “Sometimes it gets a little crazy here.”
That will be the case this summer when Garrett, Will, and 7-year-old Cade all are playing baseball along with Garrett’s swimming.
However, this weekend the balls and gloves won’t be pulled out yet, just goggles and a swim suit.
And while the Division I meet is a big deal, if Garrett sticks with the sport, it could be just the beginning.
Just one day after qualifying for his final event, Garrett already was looking forward to the season-ending meet.
“Some people at my school are telling me, ‘You’re the next Michael Phelps’,” Garret said with a laugh.
Barbara laughed as well, but had a different idea.
“How about you be the next Garrett Alleven,” she said.