At the age of 12, Bixby High School senior Lilli Keenan started swimming competitively and now competes in the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle. Lilli said her strength is being a good teammate.
“My strength is my ability to be a supportive teammate and I’ve improved upon this skill by becoming a more active listener and fostering more intentional and strong relationships with my teammates,” Lilli said. “I competed in state both my sophomore and junior year, state is an amazing opportunity to cheer on your teammates and push yourself past your limits.”
The senior said several teammates have impressed her this season.
“I’ve been extremely impressed by all of the swimmers this season, Gaby Pena, Hahyeon Kim, and Presley Smerczynsky however are the most impressive and uplifting teammates and I’m so grateful for our friendships. As a freshman, former BHS swimmer and school record holder Leah Wagner showed me what it looked like to be a good teammate, friend, and mentored me in the powerhouse,” said Lilli.
For Lilli, her teammates are more like an extension of her family.
“What I love most about my teammates is how we feel like family. Since swimming is such a unique and small sport in Oklahoma, most of us have been doing it for a long time. That kind of consistency is what makes us family,” said Lilli.
After graduation, Lilli plans to attend the University of Oklahoma to pursue a degree in Speech Pathology, pursuing her passion for working with people with disabilities.
“The students at my internship at Little Light House inspire me every day to seek optimism and joy wherever I go, these students show me that joy is found in the little moments and that’s something I never want to forget,” said Lilli.
The senior said her journey has a swimmer and varsity athlete for BHS has been a great experience.
“In swimming my biggest accomplishment is making the varsity team as a freshman. As a person, my biggest accomplishments include being an intern at the Little Light House, receiving a BEEF scholarship, and being awarded Miss Congeniality twice at the Miss Bixby Scholarship Pageant,” said Lilli.
