Aquaman: Student swimmer strives to stay a stroke ahead of his competition

For somebody who set four individual records and five re­lay records, one might think that Roger Williams University swimmer Phil Jacques would surely continue on to a profes­sional swimming career in the future. However, Jacques, a junior environmental science major, plans to return back to his small hometown in Maine to work for a local organization. Nonetheless, Jacques plans to continue his swimming hobby on a masters swim league club back where he grew up.

Jacques' swimming career started in fifth grade when his parents decided to sign him up for swim lessons. Jacques' mother, who cannot swim, found it important to enroll her son in swim courses. When the first classes ended, Jacques found himself seeking new ho­rizons in the water. He trained through middle school and high school to be the swimmer he is today, holding individual records in the 200 individual medley, 50-yard backstroke, 100-yard backstroke, and 200-yard backstroke. He also holds five relay records in the 200, 400 and 800 free relays, and the 200 and 400 medley relays.

Jacques is known for his im­pressive records across campus, but will not allow himself to take all of the credit. He talks frequently, and highly, off all of the support that he has received over the years from his family and friends, especially from the other swimmers that have been on his teams in the past. He ex­plains that he has made friends on the team that he considers part of his family; he is room­ing with one of his swim friends this year on campus.

But his teammates are not the only people that he has devel­oped a tight bond with over the years. Jacques speaks very highly of his head coach, Julie O'Brien. In fact, when talking to him about their relationship, Jacques explains that having O'Brien in his life is like having a second mother, as she is there to support him both inside and out of the pool.

James Wells is a friend that Jacques speaks in-depth about when discussing the relation­ships that have derived out of his swim career. Wells was one of Jacques's main competitors all through high school, and was Jacques' best friend. Jacques explains that they worked off each other, offering advice and support through each season.

On the other hand, Phil Jacques' swimming career is definitely not all gain; there is also a large amount of work he has been required to put into it. Jacques explained that the training for this sport is exten­sive and exhausting. In total, Jacques spends 15 hours a week practicing. While Jacques often plays other sports for fun, he ex­plains that swimming is, by far, the most physically taxing ac­tivity that he takes part in. Even outside of practice, Jacques uses swimming as a basis for his life­style. He explains that he always tries to balance out what he eats and strives to never over-eat.

Jacques explains that he has a few difficult personal goals that he is aiming to accomplish be­fore graduation next year. Hav­ing these targets feeds his ambi­tion for the sport. He also keeps his team in mind, doing what­ever he can to help his fellow swimmers through the tough practices and intense swim meets. When asked about the captain position on the team, Jacques quickly admitted that he would love to be the captain, but continued on to say that there are many people on the team with amazing leadership skills who would be great team captains as well.

Yet, Jacques strives to be a leader and a role model for more than just his fellow swim­mers. He worked as a student advocate this year, taking on a group of freshman mentees at the beginning of the year. He gave these students with cam­pus tours and activities to help them adjust and understand college life better. He is always available to them for academic help and advice throughout the year as well. As much as Jacques gives to the people around him, he explains that he has gained a lot as well because of his love for swimming. He speaks more specifically about the organi­zational skills that he was re­quired to pick up through the long practices while balancing schoolwork and an appropriate social life. He also talks about the power of determination and respect that has grown in him as his swimming career has taken off.

Jacques key to becoming a successful swimmer has been his dedication to the sport. His advice to younger swimmers: "Don't ever give up."