EDWARDSVILLE - Natalie Jones of the Granite City Paddlers Swim Club enjoyed success in the Southwestern Illinois Swimming Association Championship meet, held July 19, 2026, at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center in Edwardsville.
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Jones finished eighth in the girls 15-18 100-yard freestyle, then followed up by placing sixth in the 15-18 50-yard freestyle, and finished her program with another sixth-place finish in the 50-yard backstroke.
She is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete Of The Month for Granite City. Jones thought she swam one of her best meets of the season and put everything on the line for her team.
"I think this has been one of my best meets this season," Jones said, "and I really put it all out there today."
She feels that her best events are the freestyle races, especially the 50-yard freestyle ("I love that stroke," she said), and despite some pool maintenance difficulties at Paddlers, especially early in the season, Jones and the team persevered and kept striving, no matter what.
"I definitely think we came back from that," Jones said. "I really tried to make as many practices as possible, because I do other sports and other activities. But I really tried to make every practice I could, and give it my best, and when I couldn't, bring my personality," she said.
Jones is determined to stay active in sporting activities, and will have very fond memories of swimming for the Pirates.
"I see myself finishing out my years at Paddlers, and always remembering the time I have had here," Jones said.
She also plays volleyball and soccer for Granite City High School and played basketball until giving up the sport, and sees her overall future in sports as being positive and upbeat.
"I think I really value sports in my life," Jones said, "and I think I will try to keep myself active, no matter what I'm doing. So, I see myself possibly following volleyball, but really just trying to stay active, no matter what I'm doing. I just had a great swim season; I'm very grateful for all of my coaches."
