As the buzzer sounds for the SHS swimmers to start, a new face can be seen coaching them from the sidelines.
After coaching at Speedway High for seven years, head swimming coach Kylie Keevy decided to move to SHS last year to be closer to her family who live in Bargersville. She was then hired as an art teacher.
She decided to step away from coaching to focus on teaching and taking care of her child. Even so, the sport never left her mind.
Keevy has been swimming her whole life. From high school in Egypt, competing at the college level overseas and coaching all levels of swimmers, she has been through it all.
After the 2024-25 school year concluded, she decided to move to the science department where she teaches anatomy and biology.
But it also so happened that the head swimming coach position opened up.
She was asked by former Athletic Director Nick Stevens to take the job, and she couldn’t resist.
“I decided to coach because I had been out of the game for a year, and I missed it,” Keevy said.
Though the break was for a season, she knew how to jump right back into the groove.
“I’ve been doing it for so long that I know what I’m doing,” Keevy said. “It’s just building your culture and getting to know the kids is different because I’ve been coaching the same kids for (years).”
With a new leader at the helm, the swimmers have had to adapt to Keevy’s technique-driven style of coaching. Her focus is making practices more purposeful while also teaching them more about the fundamentals of the sport and swimming the right way.
Keevy has also helped the swimmers grow closer and be more than just teammates.
“She’s trying to bring more attention to the new swimmers and everything,” senior Faith Johnson said. “I think her trying to make it more as a family than just like a team has really impacted the entire (team).”
Though the expectations are high, she wants her swimmers to treat each other highly so it makes a difference.
As of Feb. 6, Keevy has led the girls team to a 9-2 regular season record while also leading the boys, who have a very light roster, to a 2-9 record.
On Feb. 5, 10 of out the 16 girls advanced to the next round, with all of them recording a personal record time, which means a lot to Keevy as the excitement for her swimmers was evident the morning after.
Senior Wali Ali has found Keevy is a good listener who will listen to what you have to say.
“It’s easy to talk to her,” Ali said. “When you need to talk to someone, she’s always there.”
While balancing being a coach, teacher and mother has been difficult for Keevy at times, she is proud of her swimmers for facing another coaching switch and thriving.
“They’ve been resilient and patient with me in adjusting…,” Keevy said. “I’m just grateful they’ve given me grace and have also just continued to work hard.”
