LOS FRESNOS — When walking into aquatic centers in Brownsville, Harlingen, Weslaco, Los Fresnos and many others throughout South Texas, the pool records are littered with LOFR J. Ashford on the girls side.
Sometimes they put “Jada Ashford” in full.
Ashford has five individual pool records at the Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center in Brownsville, where the Los Fresnos senior attends club swimming.
Ashford, one of the most accomplished swimmers in the Rio Grande Valley, heads to the UIL Class 6A swimming and diving state championships for the last time, as she is set to compete in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly.
“I am still not sure yet,” Ashford of her swimming prospects at the next level. “I have not decided whether I am going to swim or not.”
Swimming is a grueling sport on the body, she said.
“It takes a lot of hard work,” Ashford said. “A lot of visualizing. Not only work in the pool, but scouting other girls’ times. I go home and study swimming.”
The Los Fresnos swim team under head coach Jaime Perez trains early in the mornings. Ashford has helped the girls swim team capture four straight district titles in her time there, as well as many other team wins from various meets.
Ashford also trains with the Brownsville Aquatics Swim Club. Ashford is coached in Brownsville by Ryan Shea, also the coach of Brownsville Rivera’s swim team. Ashford credits Shea for much of her success.
“Amazing coach,” Ashford said. “I would not be here without him.”
Ashford won gold in both the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly at the Region VIII-6A swimming and diving championships two weeks ago in Laredo. Ashford won gold in both individual events at the regional meet for four years at Los Fresnos. The senior won four golds in the 100 fly, three golds in the 50 freestyle and last year her only gold in the 100 breaststroke.
The senior has had college offers for swimming, she said, but a possible career in nursing is a priority for Ashford. The time having to swim in college and obsessing over the competition’s times can be better served in the pursuit of a nursing degree.
Maybe a school with a good nursing degree program and swim team could sway one of the Rio Grande Valley’s most decorated swimmers into joining their school.