I now go to NSB Middle and I’m in the 8th grade, but I swim with my club, Daytona Beach Swimming (DBS), senior team (I moved up a year early). The training is rough but it paid off recently when I was ranked 1st for 13 year old girls in the nation for the 50 yard freestyle; just another step closer to my goals of making the Olympic Trials in 2016, and the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Even though swimming takes up much of my time, I still love to go diving, snorkeling, fishing, and lobstering whenever I can. Now I surf as much as possible, usually dawn patrols with my dad early in the morning before school when I don’t have morning practice, with an occasional contest here or there. When I’m not swimming or surfing, I enjoy hanging with my family and friends, or taking photos and painting.
Q: If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 things, what would they be?
A: Definitely a camera, preferably waterproof. My surfboard, just in case I find the break somewhere on the island and have it all to myself. My best friend to keep me company. Also, probably to keep me from going crazy. And then I wouldn’t have the perfect break all to myself, but that’s okay.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
A: Missy Franklin would have to be my all-time favorite swimmer, just because of how positive and successful she is, but Steph Gilmore is a close second in surfing.
Q: What are 3 things on your bucket list?
A:Spend as much time as I can in Bali, taking pictures, finding some awesome breaks, and just getting to know the culture of the place, go to the Olympics, and if I didn’t go for swimming I’d still want to go just to watch, and buy a super cool sail boat for my parents, so they could sail to wherever they wanted- as long as I could come too!
Q: If you were 60 years old, what would you tell your children?
A: Never give up on something you love, because the toughest times bring the greatest rewards.
Q: What inspires you?
A: Every time I see someone do something awesome, I want to do just that. Anyone that has ever accomplished anything great has been a part of my inspiration.
Q: What is your signature dish in the kitchen?
A: Spaghetti! It’s my all-time favorite food. Ever.
Q: What activities do you do in JOLYN?
A: Every day I go to swim practice in my Jolyn, but I also use them for surfing and pretty much anything else I do that involves water!
Q: What motivates you?
A: I know everything I do and everything I train for is for a reason, and just thinking about what may lie ahead of me gets me going every time.
Q: If you had to be an animal, what would you be and why?
A: I’ve always wanted to fly, but I also love the water so probably a pelican. They’re cool right?
Q: What is your favorite JOLYN style and why?
A: I absolutely love the tie strap scooped onesies, because I can comfortably where them to swim practice, but still feel like I’m in a two piece because of the cross tie back. For surfing I really like the Vent tops and Bali bottoms, but I also really want to try out the Tomcat.
Q: Any last words or testimonial?
A: You can’t do anything great if you don’t have a goal. Even if it’s not a big one, it can get you places.
She was also just interviewed in News-Journal (click here) where it was written: Lochte said it’s too early to project what Kira’s swimming specialty will be, but he believes she could eventually succeed as a breaststroker and in the individual medley.
“Right now, Kira would probably the fastest swimmer in a couple of events in our senior group,” Lochte said. “She has a world of talent and a real good feel for the water.”
Crage is currently working on making the cut for the 2014 Speedo Winter Junior National Championships, to be held Dec. 10-13 in Federal Way, Washington. She has competed locally and made one out-of-state trip to Savannah, Georgia, for another meet.
But Crage wants to finally be able to combine her loves of traveling and swimming, as well as to make a name for herself among the best swimmers in the country. - By Chris Boyle
