The Murray County 4-H Seeing Wellness in Motion (SWIM) Team just concluded their season at a co-hosted meet with Nobles County SWIM in Slayton at Slaytona Beach West.
The 4-H SWIM program is a regional program taking place over the entire Southwest region of Minnesota. The Murray County 4-H SWIM program welcomed 31 swimmers from grades K-8 to the 2026 season in June. Coaches Sophia Nelson, Amber Martin, and Morgan Heezen ran practices every Tuesday and Thursday morning in June and July, practicing swimming skills like strokes, endurance and strength, all while having fun and engaging activities.
The core goal of the SWIM program is to equip youth with lifelong wellness and a low-impact form of exercise they can continue to use well after their years in 4-H.
The team travelled around the region on Saturdays to compete against other county teams in competitive races and relays. The trips included visits to Jackson, Redwood Falls, Tyler, and two meets at home in Slayton. Youth from teams in 4-H programs from Nobles County, Lincoln County, Redwood County, and Jackson County all got together with our Murray County 4-Hers to push each other in competition.
While our Murray County swimmers brought home many outstanding finishes including many first places, the real reward was the improvement among the individual young swimmers, noted by Personal Record ribbons rewarded to a swimmer each time they swam their fastest time yet.
Not only did the youth leave with ribbons and improved wellness, but they also left with memories and lasting friendships made on the team. The Murray County 4-H SWIM program will resume next June.
