Jillian Crooks
Upon returning from the Tokyo Olympics, Alaska was not on 15-year-old Jillian Crooks’ itinerary.
But the standout swimmer from the Cayman Islands landed here and is relishing the opportunity.
Crooks will represent Homer High at the state swimming championships in Anchorage today and Saturday and has a shot at eclipsing state records in the freestyle.
“I am very hyped for this weekend,” Crooks said by phone. “I am looking forward to swimming my best.”
Crooks has not returned home to the Cayman Islands, a British Territory of 71,000 people in the Caribbean, since she swam the 100-meter freestyle in Tokyo on July 28, placing 41st of 51 competitors.
Among the highlights of her Olympic experience was being a flag bearer at the Opening Ceremonies. Later she watched Seward’s Lydia Jacoby claim gold in the 100 breaststroke. However, Crooks’ attempt to introduce herself to the budding Alaskan star was unsuccessful.
“I saw her at the Olympics,” Crooks said. “I tried to say hi but the elevator door closed.”
While seeking to return home after the Olympics, Crooks ran into trouble with Covid-19 vaccination and border control regulations imposed by the Cayman Islands’ government.
Cayman officials would not accept the second dose of her vaccination, which was administered at Walgreens, and were therefore requiring a strict 14-day quarantine upon return.
Because she had other important swim events planned, Crooks was hesitant to miss two weeks of training due to quarantine.
Enter Homer High School swim coach Caleb Miller. He coached Crooks for eight years — beginning at age 5 — in the Caymans before he moved to Alaska.
“I said ‘Hey, why don’t you come to Alaska to train,?’” Miller said. “She was stuck in limbo a little bit.”
Crooks, along with her mother Faith, accepted the invitation and arrived in Homer in late August. She began swimming with Homer High School two days later and fit right in. Given the uncertainty of her situation, she’s also been home schooling.
“She’s an incredibly positive young lady. She has brought a good attitude to the team,” Miller said.
At a dual meet with Seward High, Crooks met Jacoby.
“I finally introduced myself and we hit it off,” Crooks said. “Hopefully I get to race her in the 200 free relay.”
Having two Olympians competing at the Alaska state championships is unprecedented, but Jacoby and Crooks won’t face each other in any individual events. Jacoby will race the 100 breaststroke and 200 medley. Crooks is entered in the 100 and 200 freestyle.
At the Region III Championships last weekend, Crooks set region records in the 100 freestyle (51.13 seconds) and 200 freestyle (1 minute, 50.54 seconds) despite not being at full strength.
“She kind of rolled her wrist and had a bum hand,” Miller said. “We’ll see how she does this weekend.”
The state record for the 100 free is Ila Hughes’ 50.51 in 2014; for the 200 free it’s Megan Cavanaugh’s 1:50.02 from 2007. Those times are only slightly faster than what Crooks accomplished at the region meet.
Shortly after the state meet, Crooks will head to Florida for a couple weeks of training before the Junior Pan Am Games in Columbia in late November. The FINA Short Course World Championship in the United Arab Emirates will follow in December. Crooks also aspires to compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
But first she’ll wrap up her brief Alaskan stay by giving fans the rare thrill of watching an Olympian carve through the water.
“I’d just like to thank all the people in Homer who have been so nice to me and my mom,” Crooks said.
To read about other Alaskans featured in the Prep Spotlight series, click here.