When his sister, freshman Jewel LeValley qualified for the state swim meet in the 400 freestyle relay, Tomahawk state vet and junior Trevor had just two words of advice for her: Swim fast.
I think shell go pretty fast, Trevor added, reflecting on his sisters season before the Tomahawk sprinters took to the pool. While the siblings have been always enjoyed swimming, Jewel picked up a lot of speed during the off-season this year, Trevor said.
Shes always been working hard, it just finally clicked, he added.
Jewel explained that her swimming epiphany came from a deal she had with the mother of a club swimming teammate.
She decided every day I came to practice, shed give me a dollar, and every practice she came to, Id give her a dollar, Jewel said. When we stopped, I had $150, and I realized I could keep up with the other kids. I liked it more.
Jewel showed so much improvement over the season, the two hope to have a family monopoly on the schools 500 freestyle record next season. Trevor set the boys record last winter, and Jewel nearly took it this fall, improving by 20 seconds in the event in the last week of the girls season.
Trevor had better advice for Jewel in the 500 and 200 individual medley, the events the siblings specialize in. She credited her brothers guidance for her late-season surge in the 500, relating a conversation they had in the middle of the season.
He asked me, What was your plan? and I said I didnt have one, so he helped me plan it all out, Jewel said.
The story illustrates a difference between the two LeValleys. While both of them admitted their lives revolve around swimming Swimming is life, not a hobby, she said the pair tackle the challenge of competitive swimming in different ways. While Jewel chips away at her times with her eager enthusiasm for the sport, Trevor takes a strategic, studious approach to improving.
Ive always been competitive. Im competitive at everything, even if Im not good at it, Trevor said, adding that his 15-year-old brother Brighton, whose preferred sport is tae kwon do, now beats him at chess.
After spending hours a day at swimming, brother and sister have less in common outside the pool. But one thing the family has in common is that they unite around each other.
I actually dont see (Brighton) that much. We do swimming four hours a day. When swimming ends, he has tae kwon do. We see him at supper, Trevor said. (But) were always there. Whoevers turn it is to be in the spotlight, we always go.