On Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, Central Bucks West seniors Austin Wakefield & Kade Cimakasky were recognized for committing to compete in swimming at the collegiate level.
Kade Cimakasky – Susquehanna University (Swimming)
Major: Criminal Justice
Final list of colleges: Susquehanna, Scranton, Shippensburg, Clarion, Elizabethtown
Reasons for choosing Susquehanna: “It just seemed like the right school for me. I was really impressed with the academics, and I loved the
coach of the swim team. It was perfect – it didn’t have any flaws like the other schools did.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in swimming at the collegiate level? “Back in my sophomore year, there wasn’t a lot of leaders on the team, and I really took a big leadership role with the guys, even the upperclassmen. That continued through my junior and senior year, and I just love leading the team, and I never get sick of the sport. That’s my coaches too - I love my coaches, and they’ve kept me going with the sport, motivating me.”
Coach John Foff says: “Kade Cimakasky, since his sophomore year, has been a core leader of this team. We started off when he was a freshman with about 11 swimmers, and now we have 25. He was an integral part in getting people excited about CB West swimming, and he’s just a good person in general and someone I know will have big things in the future.
“Kade has been primarily a sprinter all his years. He’s been primarily a 50 freestyle swimmer, and he’s integral on the relays. This year he was part of a couple of district relays, which was exciting for him the first time. I think his motivation and keeping the team together has been great.”
About Kade:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite TV show: Seinfeld
Favorite music: Rock
Austin Wakefield – La Salle University (Swimming)
Major: Business/Finance
Final list of colleges: La Salle, United State Naval Academy, University of Delaware
Reasons for choosing La Salle: “I like being in the city, so that was a good option for me. I know a couple of people who go there currently, and they seem to really enjoy it. I went for a weekend visit with the team, and the team was amazing – they just really showed me the fun times I could have at La Salle.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in swimming at the collegiate level? “I only started swimming in ninth grade, and back then, I barely knew how to swim. I just put a lot of effort and work in, and by junior year, I was dropping big times and I went to nationals. That’s when I decided – I want to continue this.”
Coach John Foff says: “Austin didn’t start swimming until ninth grade, and when he came to us, he didn’t know how to do flip turns, which is a very important part of swimming. Austin is one of those individuals that people want to be. Young swimmers, older swimmers – they look at him, and he’s been fearless. He has listened to coaches, he’s had great conversations, and he takes the data and the information you give him, and he applies it. He’s never scared of failure. If he doesn’t do something well, he just gets right back on the horse, and he tries harder, and he figures out what he did wrong. He doesn’t look for blame, he just looks for – what can I do to improve?
“He’s a sprinter – 50 freestyle or 100 freestyle. This year we challenged him, and he challenged himself to do a couple of different events – the 100 fly, the 100 backstroke, and he made districts in those events too. He just takes the challenge on, and he applies it. The idea that he’s gone from not being able to do a flip turn to a state level swimmer, and he swims for the YMCA and is a national level swimmer as well just says a lot about who he will be down the road and what he will accomplish. He’s one of those people - we always say ‘Who’s the next Austin Wakefield?’ That is something that says a lot about him.”
About Austin:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite TV show: Brooklyn 99
Favorite artist: Drake
- Log in to post comments
