Ciera Kelly, a Juneau-Douglas High School graduate, talks Friday about her swimming career at Washington State University where she will return as a senior in the fall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ciera Kelly, a Juneau-Douglas High School graduate, talks Friday about her swimming career at Washington State University where she will return as a senior in the fall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Checking in with Ciera Kelly

Ciera Kelly, a pre-dentistry student and swimmer at Washington State University, has thrived in her three years in Pullman, Washington. The 2015 Juneau-Douglas High School graduate has twice been named to the Pac-12 Conference Swimming &Diving All-Academic First Team.

This spring, Kelly was also named as an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar, an award that recognizes students of color who have excelled both academically and athletically.

As a freshman and sophomore, Kelly earned a spot on the Cougars’ top 400-yard freestyle relay team. As a junior, Kelly recorded a career-best time in the 200 freestyle.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The Empire sat down with Kelly at the Dimond Park Aquatics Center on Friday to talk about her experience swimming and studying in college. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Juneau Empire: I was reading an old article from when you signed (to WSU). You said, “I’m a little scared for the college practices,” what those will entail. Can you just speak on how that experience has been and settling in as a swimmer?

Ciera Kelly: Honestly coming from Glacier Swim Club, it hasn’t been that hard to just adjust to the swimming, to the swim practice. Just because swimming here with (GSC coach) Scott (Griffith) is unreal. We swam so many yards; practices were always grueling. I think the biggest thing that was hard for me was there was so many other factors (besides swimming) than I realized. Swimming would take up like five hours a day, just for practices. But then you would have to have 30 minutes before to get ready for practice, 30 minutes after to just have team time. And then every single day we would have dinner all together in the football building. So realistically, we’re looking at seven hours total of just thinking and doing swim stuff.

Empire: What’s been your secret to have this great academic record?

Kelly: I just feel like all the girls on my swim team, we all want to do really well outside of the pool and inside of the pool. And our coach just kind of pushes us to be the best we can be all the time. I feel like being in swimming we’re always trying to get the best times and outside of it, we’re just trying to be the best we can in the classroom, too. So my big secret? … Honestly, it’s studying. If I’m not in the pool, I’m hitting the books hard. I’m pretty much studying wherever — like even going to class I’m studying.

Empire: What have been some of the proud accomplishments you’ve attained while being there?

Kelly: Being on a few of the ‘A’ relays was a big thing for me. There’s always A, B and C relays. … Coming in I was like, “Oh I’m just a girl from Juneau, all these girls are from California and they’re all so fast.” I never really thought I had a chance to step it up with all these other ladies on my team.

Empire: What race have you found to be the most competitive in college?

Kelly: I’d say either the 100 freestyle or 100 butterfly.

Empire: Why?

Kelly: At Pac-12 (championships), it’s really, really hard to make finals. Especially because we’re racing against the top Olympians in the world, Katie Ledecky, Simone (Manuel) at Stanford — oh my goodness, it’s honestly amazing to watch them — so making finals is even a huge accomplishment but that’s what I’m trying to do my senior since I have not (done it yet). I’ve missed it by one (spot) like every single year in those events.


• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com. Follow Empire Sports on Twitter at @akempiresports.


More in Sports

2022 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduate Brooke Sanford (5) reacts with teammates during a Regis University Rangers home volleyball match this season in Denver, Colorado. (Regis photo courtesy Makayla Salter)
Former JDHS volleyball star Brooke Sanford discusses college adjustments

Local 2022 graduate takes game to higher court while pursuing education degree in Colorado.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey players and Bartlett High School hockey players work for a puck during the Crimson Bears 10-6 win over the Golden Bears Saturday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
ASAA concerned incident in JDHS hockey game not reported

Visiting Bartlett High School player had to be restrained and escorted from ice.

The author during his morning constitutional on Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo provided by Klas Stolpe)
Pure Sole: Resolution or resolute

Ahem, a report from my daily morning constitutional, Jan. 1, 2025. There… Continue reading

Licorice ferns often grow on tree trunks and branches. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
On the Trails: Licorice ferns

The understory of our forests is graced with lots of ferns in… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Emilio Holbrook (37) defends Bartlett senior Dylan Beals (19) during the Crimson Bears’ 10-6 win over the Golden Bears on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Crimson Bears sweep Golden Bears in second high-scoring shootout

JDHS stops Bartlett again on Treadwell Ice Arena for 10-6 win.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé juniors Joren Gasga (12) and Tyler Frisby (21) and senior Ahmir Parker (2) rebound with Ketchikan senior Marcus Stockhausen during the Crimson Bears’ 70-63 loss to the Kings on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kings fire long-range shots at Crimson Bears, get 70-63 win to sweep two-game series

First time Kayhi has won back-to-back games at Juneau in over a decade.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Dance Team pose for a photo in the JDHS commons before Saturday’s Crimson Bears basketball game against Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
JDHS dance team are top entertainers and athletes

Fans become unglued from seats through every halftime performance.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) dribbles past Ketchikan junior Jozaiah Dela Cruz (11) during the Crimson Bears 52-48 loss to the kings on Friday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kings escape Crimson Bears den

Ketchikan wins Southeast Conference opener 52-48.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Paxton Mertl (7) shoots against Bartlett’s Dylan Beals during the Crimson Bears 7-5 win over the Golden Bears Friday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. The teams play against Saturday at 3 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Crimson Bears ice Golden Bears

JDHS wins 7-5 scoring shootout against Bartlett.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Juneau Empire relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in