Water Polo, Swimming
Favorite athlete: Ryan Lochte
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles
Favorite memory competing in sports: Swimming the longest event in the meet, while the whole team cheers from the side of the pool.
Most embarrassing/funniest thing that has happened while competing in sports:When my goggles fell off during the 500 freestyle, I was only on lap five, and it's a 20-lap event.
Music on iPod: Beyoncé, Taylor Swift
Future plans: Attend college and major in Accounting
Words to live by: " It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you are not. "- Unknown
One goal before turning 30: Fly in a hot air balloon
One thing people don’t know about me: I may be good in water, but I'm terrible on land.
By GORDON GLANTZ
If Jackie Cios were a light, it would be impossible to turn her off.
The Pennridge swimmer has that kind of glow.
An example of her unique spirit was that she was elected as a team captain last year, as junior and remains in that role this year.
“It’s just who I am,” said Cios. “(After practice), I make sure everyone has a ride home, and then I leave.”
But like the unsinkable Molly Brown, who survived the 1912 sinking of the famed Titanic, her story is not one without hurdles.
While Cios’ light never went out, it dimmed during an on-land cardio training outside early on in the fall water polo season.
In a freak accident, she broke her foot.
“It was after our third game,” she said. “Just like that, I was out for the rest of the season. I was the captain, so I stuck it out. I loved cheering them on, but it was tough watching them play.”
At first, she remained positive, cajoling her teammates and still serving in a leadership role that evolved being the normal team captain routine.
“I coached the JV a few times, it was fun,” said Cios, who said she wouldn’t rule out coaching the future.
But something wasn’t quite right in the healing process.
While she puts team first, her dreams of making districts – in the 200 or 500 freestyle -- during this her final swim season began to fade a bit when the foot failed to cooperate.
“It took longer than they thought,” said Cios. “It was supposed to be six weeks, and then it became 12. I missed a lot of the (swimming) preseason, too.
“I was in a walking boot, and then crutches, but it just wasn’t healing.”
And her legendary spirit was in danger of being broken. There were moments when she felt like giving up.
That’s where she credits her coach, Ryan Griffiths, for keeping her focused and inspiring her to fight back against the mounting odds.
“Coach G was just so great about the whole foot thing,” said Cios. “He has been supporting me all along, going back to my freshman year.
“He pushed me, and now I’m starting to lower my times again.”
Cios, who plans to attend either Drexel or St. Joe’s and become a CPA, said it was “kind a bummer” that the injury set her back from the elusive goal of making districts, but that all hope is not lost.
“I’m finally getting back to last year’s times,” added Cios, who works as a lifeguard at Pennridge High’s pool and also at an apartment complex, giving lessons, in the summer. “If I’m going to go the districts, it’ll probably be in a relay.”
From the perspective of the coach, having a student-athlete like Cios – a member of the National Honor Society -- for four years is like finding money under your pillow.
“Jackie is the vocal leader among our team both in and out of the pool,” he said. “She consistently has a positive word of encouragement for all of her teammates as well as our leader of team cheers and announcements (on the wall of the team’s Facebook page).”
Griffiths, also the water polo coach, was most impressed with how Cios handled herself after sustaining the injury.
“While she could not lead her team in the water, she was a player-coach who was a tremendous asset to the coaching staff as the season progressed,” he said.
If anything, the comeback trail has made her more determined.
“During the swim season, Jackie leads our team in attendance,” Griffiths said. “She is one of the first ones out of the locker room and one of the last to leave. Her improvements in her events are a direct result of her effort and drive to improve both herself and her teammates.”
In terms of attendance, missing practice is simply not an option when trying to make up for lost time after the injury.
“I was insanely out of shape,” she said. “I just had to work out and make it to every practice.”
As for the leadership skills – the type that made her rise above being admittedly initially intimidated by being a junior captain and coaching peers in water polo – Cios says it comes naturally.
Just like Molly Brown when she insisted the lifeboats turn back.
Just like a light that doesn’t go out.
“I’m usually just that loud and boisterous person that everyone listens to,” she said. “Of course, I guess that some people might find it annoying some of the time, but it is part of the job.”
