Palatine Tiger Sharks head coach Tony Gallagher and swimmer Bella Connick are preparing for Olympic selection.
Courtesy of JP McNamara
Bella Connick, 16, a standout swimmer for the Palatine TigerSharks swim team, will compete in the Olympic Trail event on June 15 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Palatine Tiger Sharks head coach and swim team coordinator Tony Gallagher praised Connick's dedication.
“Being selected is a testament to the time, effort and sacrifices Bella has put in as a member of this program,” Gallagher said. “Throughout her work with the Palatine Park District, Bella has demonstrated her willingness to work toward her goals.”
“I'm a little nervous, but being nervous is a good thing because it means I care,” Connick said. “More than anything, I think it'll be fun. I'll get to see some friends from around the country that I've met at different meets and camps. I'm sure some of my favorite athletes will be there, so I'm just going to focus on doing my best and hopefully running a personal best time.”
Connick’s swimming career began with the Tiger Sharks at age 8. Over the years, she has accumulated numerous accomplishments, including Illinois state championship titles in the 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 age groups, state records and national rankings.
“She's been at the top of her game since she was 9 years old,” Gallagher said. “She's continued to grow and set state records and win championships.”
Connick attributes much of her success to the support of her coaches and teammates.
“I've been on the team since I was 8 years old,” she said, “and my coaching staff, including Tony and Dustin, have helped me become who I am today. My teammates really inspire me, and we all push each other to be the best we can be.”
Gallagher detailed Connick's training journey.
“She had a few coaches when she was eight years old and then moved to a different group with me between the ages of nine and 10,” he explained. “From ages 10 to 14, she swam mainly with Dustin. [Thompson] “I was her lead group coach prior to her connecting with me with the high school group, so it was a cumulative effort from top to bottom. What she was able to do, especially in her first year on our team, was learn a lot of fundamentals and swimming etiquette, which was a big layer on top of building on the foundation.”
A temporary pool will be set up at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Olympic Trials, an unusual but exciting venue.
“It's going to be an amazing experience to swim in such a big stadium,” Connick said. “I'm just focused on doing my best, hopefully beating my personal best, and enjoying the experience.”
Gallagher, who has been with the TigerSharks since 2013, emphasized the importance of Connick's achievements.
“Watching her break the state record in the 200-meter backstroke at age 12 was a defining moment,” he said, “and ever since then it's been my job to help her keep that momentum going and overcome the challenges and determination it takes to get to this level.”
Looking ahead, Connick will continue to focus on training and has two more tournaments planned before heading to Indianapolis.
“I'll keep training and fine-tuning the little things until the race,” she said.
Gallagher and the Palatine TigerSharks community are proud to support Connick in his journey.
“This is a testament to all the hard work and dedication Bella has put in over the years,” Gallagher said. “We are very proud of her and look forward to seeing what she goes on to achieve.”
