JULIE SWAIL
by Micah McDaniel '98
The Games of the XXVII Olympiad will take place September 15 to October 1 in Sydney, Australia. And as if the first Games of the 21st century are not exciting enough, one Azusa Pacific University alumna, Julie Swail, M.Ed. '99, just made them more interesting.
In the midst of its 100th anniversary as a sport, water polo is a mainstay as an Olympic event. However, for the first time in the sport's and Olympic history, women will compete for the gold in Sydney, and Swail is the captain of the United States national team.
"This is a dream that I have had since I was a child, and now it is coming true," Swail said. "It is incomprehensible for me, but we are going to go out and reach for the gold."
Since July 31, the team has been following a rigorous training regimen at their facility in Los Alamitos, California, which requires total commitment from each player and practice sessions that last six hours a day, five days a week. Additionally, team members are expected to live with at least one other team member near the training facility until the team departs for Australia in mid-September. Swail has been a member of the team since 1993. "We spend so many hours together that we have become a very close group," Swail said. "We are the best of friends, and our team chemistry is remarkable. One can tell when our workouts are getting tough, because we all get quiet."
Swail is a main ingredient in that chemistry. Teammates look to her for leadership and support, and she is right there to give it to them. And on a team whose ages range from 19-39, the 27-year-old is the perfect fit. But her age is not the secret of her success.
"I try to lead by example," said Swail, who will become the head women's water polo coach at University of California, Irvine in November. "My teammates see the peace that I have, and it opens the door for me to share with them about my relationship with God. He is the reason I'm able to balance my life, and He is the reason that I have experienced success."
Swail, who is balancing the rigors of collegiate coaching, attending Mariners Church in Irvine, devoting time to her family and friends, hitting the beach, and sparring for the water polo team, also found time to earn a master's degree in education from APU in July 1999. "Before Azusa Pacific, I had little interaction with Christians in my daily life," Swail said. "My experiences at APU helped me become more outspoken about my faith. The education that I received certainly prepared me for my career."
Swail will not be alone down under. Joining her in Sydney are three other APU alumni: Maureen O'Toole, M.A. '90, regarded as the greatest women's water polo player of all time; Chris Oeding, M.Ed. '98, the captain of the U.S. Men's Water Polo National Team; and Fatima Yusef '95, who will run for Nigeria.
