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10/15/2014 12:00 AMWhen one goes to a Haddam-Killingworth girls' swimming and diving meet, they will see Jillian Clemente's name all over the psych sheet and, through her efforts, Jillian has also etched her place into the Cougars' record book.
The junior swims a diverse amount of strokes in the 100 butterfly, 500 free, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay at each competition. While the Cougar Aquatics Team (CAT) swimmer also puts plenty of preparation time in the pool and has been a part of 26 race victories in her opening nine meets for HK thus far this season, her dedication also landed her a piece of history last fall at the Class S State Championship when she broke the school record for the 100 butterfly, clocking in at 1:03.19 to finish eighth in the race.
"It felt so good to break the record because I had been trying for it since my freshman year, when I was just seconds off," says Jillian, who was also on the 400 free relay team that finished fourth for states in 2013. "For being versatile, I just have a lot of experience swimming, plus the training and multiple practices."
Reaching top flight in the fly was fitting as Jillian says that it's her preferred event. When it comes to taking on the 100 version of it versus the 200, she feels they require contrasting approaches.
"The 100 and 200 butterflies are my favorites to swim, but the 200 is difficult because it takes a lot of endurance," Jillian says. "Yet I also like the 100 as it's a very fast race so you have to be quick."
The relays in which three other people are relying on her are what push Jillian to her peak and, although she feels the heat in a group race, she is relaxed and steady in the solo runs.
"In relays, I try to go as fast as I can because the whole relay team depends on your speed so I go all out for relays" says Jillian, who also set season-best times in the 100 butterfly and 500 free on Sept. 23 against Watertown. "Solo races are dependent upon how much you have left. There is more pressure, I think, in a relay with the others depending on you, yet in solos I'm just depending on what I'm doing alone."
Cougars' Head Coach Peter Ettlinger explains that Jillian not only logs more than the necessary minutes in the water, but that she additionally sets the template for future competitors of what it takes to reach the finish line first.
"Jillian can swim any event. She is a very energetic and passionate swimmer and one of the leading point earners for our team for the past three years," says Ettlinger. "She is the first in and last out of the pool. She sets a great example for younger and developing swimmers."
Jillian's diligence is driven by her own postseason goals, which she uses to show her underclass mates the road to success.
"My goal this year is to break the butterfly record I set last year and also make All-State in the event so I want to get good enough to reach those goals," says Jillian, who has already qualified for states this year in the 100 and 200 free events. "I try to be a leader and like to set examples of trying hard in practice and then achieving those goals."
The 8-1 Cougars cracked the top five at the state championship for Jillian's sophomore campaign and now she and HK intend to finish even higher this year by displaying a complete example of teamwork.
"We were fifth last year so we are hoping to finish in the top three this year," says Jillian, who thanks Ettlinger, along with CAT coaches Devon Moore and Mary Kate Almeida. "We have to swim fast and have it be a total team effort. No one person can win states for us."