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Thursday, May 1, 2008
Natural Born Swimmers
Western Arkansas, AR
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By: Don Lowe
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Photo(s) By: Jennifer Flowers
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Swimming runs deep down in Bentonville's Haefner Family
In Bentonville, most people who have lived here for a long period of time would understand that the name Haefner and swimming go hand-in-hand just about as well or even better than most any other potent combination that might come to mind.
The next generation of top-notch swimmers in this family has already been carving their own success stories in recent years. Most notably, Bentonville Tigers junior Michael Haefner has been making quite a name for himself of late, with accolades such as being named Arkansas' high school swimmer of the year in 2007 and earning all-state recognition amongst his list of accomplishments.
Considering his relatives - on both sides of the family - who excelled in swimming before him, it shouldn't be all that surprising that the younger Haefner phenom is doing so fabulous.
"Michael has a tremendous family support base in regards to his swimming with all three of his uncles (previously) swimming Division 1 (level) in college," noted Michael's mother, Jackie Haefner, who is the former Jackie Spencer. "Jim Haefner swam for Southern Illinois, and both of my brothers, Jeff and Jerry Spencer (twins) were recruited out of California to swim for the University of Arkansas.
"His grandmother, Carolyn Haefner, was the founder of the Wal-Mart Swim Club. She has been Arkansas Coach of the Year several times and has been inducted into the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame. She has literally taught thousands of kids to swim in Bentonville over the past 30 plus years and is currently a volunteer coach in Fayetteville for the newly formed swim team, the AquaHawgs."
Of course, mom and dad (John Haefner) have been heavily involved as well with both of them spending a great deal of time teaching and providing encouragement, while also showing what it takes to be successful through their many years in coaching.
"Our family just loves swimming," Jackie Haefner insisted. "I met my husband (John) on the pool deck at the Walton Life Fitness Center 22 years ago. We have four children and our family rule is that they can all do two sports, but one of them always has to be swimming. That way we are at least all going in the same direction as a family.
"That mentality has been very beneficial to the kids and they have drawn a lot of strength from it. There are times when they've gotten in a funk and want to give up, but it helps them sustain knowing that the Haefner's can't quit."
Without a doubt, Michael Haefner has no intention of quitting anytime soon. As a matter of fact, while quite a few of his relatives have certainly splashed their way to many significant milestones over the years, Michael Haefner is hopeful of taking this family's feats to an entirely different level by qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.
Actually, Haefner will be swimming in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Omaha, Neb. later this summer with an outside possibility of faring well enough to earn a spot in the '08 Olympics. Keeping it in perspective, though, Haefner says he's competing in the Olympic Trials "just for the experience."
Not surprisingly, with such incredible aspirations of where he eventually hopes to be, Haefner maintains a rigorous training regimen, particularly right now with his sites set on performing well enough to potentially be an Olympic-caliber swimmer. "Dedication is the key," Haefner says. "I have to get up at 4:30 a.m. to go practice (at Fayetteville) before school. It's hard enough just to wake up that early. But, then having to get in the water that early and be ready to go is really tough."
Haefner has to give it his all without holding anything back. "Every stroke I have to explode in the water," he said.
If he is to one day realize his Olympic dreams, Haefner understands the importance of giving it his all and then some every time he's in the pool. "It's all about how hard I work in practice," he said.
It gets particularly challenging after he's had some time off and then begins training again. "The beginning is very hard and it's easy to get broken down," Haefner acknowledged.
Despite the demands and knowing he has a long road ahead of him, there's a really simple logic as to why Haefner keeps forging forward. "I love the sport," he said rather emphatically.
That's really a no brainer. After all, he is a Haefner.
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