Three short whistles pierce through the chatter of swimmers and spectators, eight swimmers make last-minute adjustments to their caps and goggles before they step onto the blocks at the sound of one long whistle. When the announcer says “take your marks” heads lower to face the water beneath in anticipation of the beep signaling the start of the race. 

For sisters Jade and Aurora Roghair, this scene is a common occurrence as they both participate in a competitive club swimming team, IFly, as well as the West High swim team. Jade and Aurora are the youngest of four sisters. Their older sisters are Ariel, a senior in college and Jasmine, who is in her second year of medical school. All four of the sisters have been a part of swimming in one way or another and were each introduced to it at a young age. 

Jade believes that sharing a sport with her siblings is a motivational too in terms of competition and camaraderie. 

“I looked up to them and saw all the things they could accomplish in swimming, which caused me to want to reach the goals they met,” said Jade.

Aurora also started swimming with similar ideas to Jade in terms of achieving success her siblings had in the past. 

“I started swimming because my two older sisters were and I wanted to follow in their footsteps,” said Aurora. 

Jade believes that having three older sisters in the same sport has both been helpful and challenging at the same time. 

“I think the hardest part of having all of my sisters in the same sport is that I start comparing myself to them, which can cause me to have less confidence,” said Jade. 

Although the competition is rough, having a family member with the same goals has its own benefits. 

“All of my sisters have helped me in swimming by making sure I keep a positive mindset even if I have a bad meet,” said Jade.

While it is demanding, Jade does enjoy being able to seek out help in her siblings, “I think the best parts of having them all swimming is that I can go to them when I need help with something and I can spend more time with them.”