- November 4, 2024
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When the swim announcers request for the swimmers to take their positions on the blocks, Matanzas junior, Madison O’Keefe, looks as calm and collected as the other races. She engages in her normal routine, stretching her shoulders, jumping three times in the air, and then touching her toes. No one realizes the nerve war taking place in her mind.
“My greatest obstacle, whenever I race, is my nerves,” O’Keefe said. “Before every race I tell myself to try do better than the last time, because the feeling of setting a personal record is amazing.”
O’Keefe did just that against Ponte Vedra, when she beat her old school record for the 100 butterfly with a 1:05:83. She also holds the record for the 100 backstroke.
“I love the feeling of racing,” she added. I love doing the butterfly, so I can see who’s next to me.” O’Keefe has given this season a special focus, according to her mother, Deanna O’Keefe. She has dedicated herself to reading books that help her swim faster, control her nerves and focus on her techniques.
“She’s (O’Keefe) our captain and a hard worker,” coach Carrie Purdye said. “She’s going to lead us to state.”
O’Keefe praised her coach, saying that coach Purdy was her favorite coach ever, because she was always willing to work with them, and she helped her improve her swim stroke.
O’Keefe has been swimming all of her life. For the past few years, she has been swimming with Daytona Speed, a local swim team, along with Matanzas. She swims year-round. According to her mother, she hoped to get into school in Hawaii, which is where some of the best swimmers race.
