Emily THIRION

Emily THIRION

Harding swimming/Diving

Emily Thirion was 6 years old the first time she remembers jumping in a pool. She was spending a hot summer day with some extended family members, except they were all in the pool and she was sitting and watching.

“They told me to just jump in, I said ‘sure I’d love to get in.’ I’ve been swimming ever since and absolutely loving it.”

Nine years later, those same early family influences were Harding teammates. Thirion, a freshman, joined her cousins Dylan and Allison on the Raider swim team.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” she said. “It’s been great to participate as a team and be with my friends the entire time. We have a great support group and great coaches.”

She has traveled to places such as Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pennsylvania and Nebraska to take part in tournaments. Harding coach Steve Lucko has worked with her over the past few years at the Olympic Club summer program. When Thirion finally made it to the high school level, Lucko was overjoyed.

“She’s been a great addition to the team,” he said. “She’s a great kid with an amazing work ethic and is making her impact felt right away.”

At the sectional meet, Thirion was second in the 100-yard butterfly and won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:08.07. She placed sixth at districts missing the state-qualifying mark by just one tenth of a second in each. With three more years ahead of year, Thirion has set plenty of goals.

“I’d love to be able to become a more complete athlete and to compete at state,” she said. “I’d love to swim for a college team to further my career in that direction.”

Already part of the Harding broadcasting station and an accomplished writer with published pieces, Thirion hopes to pursue a career in journalism down the road.