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Brooke Bailey Boardman | Girls Swimming
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Brooke Bailey had a great season in the water for Boardman High School.
She’s also had a change of heart.
Instead of going to the Air Force Academy, she is going to the Naval Academy in the fall.
But her plan to swim never changed.
“I’m very excited, Bailey said. “I still love Air Force but it was a better fit for me [at the Naval Academy].”
She will be joining her brother Ryan in attending the Naval Academy and swimming.
She is planning to pursue a political science degree.
At this season’s state meet, Bailey finished eighth in the 100-yard breaststroke. She holds the Boardman school record for the event.
“I walk by the record board multiple times at school and I take so much pride in it,” Bailey said. “To know that all my hard work is going to be up there for a little bit is going to be nice.”
Like Canfield’s Connor Brady, she also qualified for the state tournament all four years. Bailey admitted she was nervous this year.
“At prelims I was because I wanted to make the top-eight finals,” Bailey said. “But at finals, it was really relaxed.”
Bailey was also part of a 200 medley relay team that placed 19th at the state meet.
“My senior season was really great,” Bailey said. “I went into it wanting to have no regrets and having a lot of fun with it. I’m very happy with how it turned out.”
Bailey ended her high school career where she started it: in Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium.
“That’s when it kind of hit me like I’m never going to compete in this pool again,” Bailey said. “It was sad, but I’m excited for the future.”