Watonga’s Lydia Lafferty signed her National Letter of Intent to swim for the University of Kansas on National Signing Day this past Wednesday.
Earlier this fall, the homeschooled senior was named among the USA Swimming’s Scholastic All-Americans by meeting a minimum 3.5 grade-point average and swimming a 2019 Winter Junior National qualifying time. USA Swimming’s announcement noted the organization is, “proud to recognize these scholar-athletes and congratulates the swimmers on their achievement, as well as their coaches and parents for their outstanding support.”
Looking forward, Lafferty is qualified to swim at Speedo Winter Junior Nationals to be held at the University of Texas in Austin. She hopes to cut time in her signature event, the 100 Butterfly.
While at the University of Kansas, Lydia will most likely compete in the 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 50 Freestyle, as well as the 200 and 400 Medley Relays. Her future college coach, Clark Campbell, says he believes her strongest event will eventually be the 200 Fly.
She and her younger sibling, Lance, have been swimming with American Energy Swim Club, out of Edmond, Oklahoma, for seven years. The pair attend approximately three of the 11 practices each week. Their other training includes various home-based workouts.
Lafferty’s parents, Ladd and Leigh Ellen Lafferty, say they are very proud of their daughter’s achievements and are thankful to live in a community that has supported her uncommon path.