Elijah Horman, a senior communication major, is no stranger to making waves in the swimming world. With multiple school records already under his belt, he added yet another to his collection by setting a new record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 55.47. However, what made this achievement even more remarkable was the fact that neither he nor his coach realized it at first. It wasn’t until the next day that the news sank in. Elijah had made history again. 

Unlike some record-breaking moments that come as a total shock, Elijah had been chasing this record for years. The previous record belonged to Noah Jimison, a swimmer who always stayed just ahead of him. “I figured I would probably get the record at the conference meet in a few days once I was rested, but I had very low expectations for this weekend’s meet,” he admitted. But sometimes, fate has other plans. 

With winter break and an unexpected snowstorm cutting into his training schedule, preparation leading up to the meet was not ideal. The day before the race, he struggled to hit his target pace, leading him to believe he might underperform. But when it mattered most, his technique, instincts, and competitive drive took over. 

It Was a Matter of Strategy and Execution 

For Elijah, backstroke is as much about precision as it is about power. He focused on specific technical improvements, including modifying his backstroke turn to maintain better speed into the walls. Additionally, a few underwater dolphin kicks gave him an extra push off each turn, allowing him to carry momentum for longer distances. 

“I knew I was going fast from the start,” Elijah recalled. By the 75-yard mark, he had a strong sense that he was on track for an incredible time. His instincts were right. as he touched the wall, he had unknowingly set a new school record. 

The Heartfelt Tale of Overcoming Obstacles 

Despite his success, Elijah faced his fair share of challenges. Having to take multiple days off training just before the meet wasn’t ideal, and competing in a shorter race (100 backstroke) was not his usual specialty. As someone who typically excels in 200-400 meter races, he had to make significant adjustments to his stroke and race strategy. 

However, he didn’t do it alone. Elijah credits Coach Brad and Coach Thomas for helping him fine-tune his backstroke pace, ensuring greater consistency in his times. Additionally, training with his teammate Joseph Williams played a crucial role in pushing both of them to perform at their best. “We pace off each other in practice, and it helps us hold faster times,” he explained. 

Looking Ahead

With only one more meet left in his collegiate career. His ultimate goal? To be the first swimmer in conference history to win three consecutive event titles and to finally break the 200 backstroke conference record of 1:56.64. 

As he prepares for his final races, Elijah leaves a piece of advice for younger swimmers: “Listen to your coaches and trust the process. There will be a lot of days where you feel awful, and your coach is pushing you to do something you think is dumb. But everything you do has a purpose, and it will contribute to your success.”