Julia Cummings has a competitive nature, a trait that has served her well in academics and athletics. She is enrolled at Bonners Ferry High School and K12 virtual academy part time while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. “My goal is to graduate in the top 10 of my class,” said the Bonners Ferry sophomore.
Julia began to swim competitively at the age of 8 when she lived in South Carolina. She swam for a club team for three years and placed eighth in the state at the age of 11. She took a break from swimming for a year when her family moved from South Carolina to Bonners Ferry, something that she said proved to be challenging. In August of 2016 she joined the Sandpoint swim team.
“I swam for SWAC [Sandpoint West Athletic Club] throughout that season under Mike Brosnahan. When high school season for swimming began in September of 2017, I wanted to swim in high school somehow, whether that meant I swim for Sandpoint High School, be an unattached swimmer or swim for Bonners Ferry High School,” said Julia. “After a few board meetings, it was decided to make swimming a cooperative sport for BFHS, and that I would be the first swimmer for and to represent Bonners Ferry.”
Throughout September and October, Julia traveled with the Sandpoint High School swim team to meets in Idaho, including districts and state. In early November she competed at state in Boise in the 50-meter freestyle and the 100-meter backstroke.
“With a personal best in both events [at prelims], I qualified for finals the next day,” said Julia. In the finals, she swam the same two events and came in 10th in the state in 50-meter freestyle and second in the state for 3A girls. “In the 100 meter I placed 16th in the state and was first in state for 3A girls,” she said.
Julia plans to attend Whitworth University and pursue a degree in nursing while swimming for Whitworth as well. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, exploring Bonners Ferry, being with her friends and family, hunting, ATV riding, photography, youth group and participating in other sports.
“I enjoy doing these things because I get to do them in a beautiful town, and I get to enjoy them with the people I love most,” said Julia.
She has had many memorable moments over the years while competing but said it is the meets she enjoys the most. “Going to swim meets is always a fun and enjoyable time, especially with a team,” said Julia. “I really enjoy the competition with swimming. Always having someone to beat in a race—or even trying to beat your own personal record—makes swimming very much enjoyable and a career I won't ever want to give up on.”
Swimming has taught Julia more than just what it means to be part of a team. “A big life lesson that I have learned is to never give up on something you want or love,” she said. “Another is whatever you put in is what you’re going to get out of it. I was always taught by my coaches and parents to always give 100 percent, and everything requires effort and hard work.”