On October 20, Spelman College made waves in aquatics as its Wellness Center hosted an exhibition event to celebrate the inaugural Jaguars Swim Club. This marks the first all-women’s swimming club at a historically Black college or university. Spelman’s aquatics director and head coach, Adrienne Wesley, spearheads the newly established team.
The exhibition showcased the talents of 14 club members, comprised of students and staff, who participated in various individual and relay swimming events. Competitors took to the water in individual medley, butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle races, with distances ranging from 25 to 100 yards, alongside 4 x 50 yards relay competitions.
Samiyah Young, C’2025, a biology major hailing from Chicago, leads the charge as president of the club’s executive board. A former competitive swimmer, Young emphasized the significance of the club in promoting representation for Black women in a sport traditionally underrepresented by people of color. “Leading this team means not only fostering community but also creating a space where Black women can thrive in a sport that often lacks representation,” she stated. “Swimming at Spelman is a powerful way to challenge norms, break barriers, and represent in and out of the water.” (READ MORE)
