Most people do not share the same interests as their siblings; but for sister, Maddie and Casey Gannon, they have one major interest in common, swimming.

Maddie is a senior at Xavier but swims for Kennedy High School. She has been a varsity member all four years of high school. Now, for her senior year, she is joined by her younger sister, Casey, who is a freshman. They have been swimming together for 10 years, but this is the first and only year they will swim together in high school. 

Maddie and Casey swim the 200 medley relay and the 200 IM together.

“I like swimming with Casey because it gives me someone to compete with, and if she beats me, it pushes me to get better,” Maddie said. 

Both sisters can get pretty competitive with each other, but they motivate each other at the same time.

“When my older sister, Sarah (X18), was on the team, we were not as competitive as I am with Casey,” Maddie said. “We are always trying to be better than each other but we still try to motivate each other in and out of the pool.”

Casey has been fortunate to have Maddie to help her adjust to a new environment.

“Maddie has helped me adjust by showing me around the pool and helping me get from Kennedy to Xavier on time,” Casey said. “She is also a huge help with making sure I have everything I need for meets, practice and school.”

For both of them, the goal is the same. They want to qualify for state in their events and improve their times.

The Kennedy girls’ swim team will compete next on Saturday, September 21 at Mercer Aquatic Center in Iowa City.