28 Aug 2015 Brynell not ready to say goodbye

Story and photos
by Sonja J. Keith

Chris Brynell has a big heart for kids, especially those he has worked with through the Conway Crocodiles swim program.

Originally from Cabot, Chris has been the aquatics coordinator at Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center for the last six and a half years. When Chris joined the fitness center staff, he recognized a need for youth programs and started the Conway Crocs summer swim team.

The Conway program is one of eight teams in the Central Arkansas Swim League. Chris serves as the board president for CASL, which was created more than 25 years ago and has existed to promote friendly competition between member teams in a family atmosphere that promotes individual and team competition and sportsmanship.

Chris earned a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology and health science at the University of Central Arkansas, where he returned on Aug. 19 to enter the physical therapy program. Ultimately, he would like to work in the PT field in sports or with children, or a combination of both.

In May, Chris came to a crossroads about his career plans as he was accepted to the UCA program and an out-of-state school, which would have started in May. He said a lot of factors influenced his decision to choose UCA. “The swim team did play a large role.”

Although his last day as aquatics coordinator was July 24, Chris continues to work at the fitness center as a personal trainer and gives private swim lessons. The change hasn’t quite sunk in and he hopes to continue working with the Crocs, although no arrangements have been made. The Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center plans to continue the Conway Crocs swim team under the leadership of new aquatics coordinator Anne Fraley.

The Crocs program grew from about 35 swimmers its first year to 102 this year, with 60 percent to 70 percent of the participants returning swimmers. “This year, we did have a large number of new kids.”

Chris said a lot of parents are attracted to the program because of the physical activity. Practices are held daily each weekday once school dismisses for the summer, with swim meets on Saturdays. “A lot of parents want their kids to be active in something during the summer,” he said. “That’s why we try to make it fun because not everyone is there to be a swimmer.”

According to Chris, 25 to 30 percent of the swimmers involved in Crocs have gone on to pursue competitive swimming.

Chris said his dad, who swam competitively in high school and college, asked him when he was 15 if he wanted to try swimming. Chris became involved in the sport and swam four years in the summer league at Cabot. “I had a lot of fun when I swam,” he said. “I didn’t have to push myself. There were not as many swimmers and I didn’t have to try as hard.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’m more competitive and take it more serious now than I did then.” Chris continues to swim, four or five times a week. “I want to be faster and beat myself. It’s what every swimmer should think about.”

Chris served as an assistant coach in Cabot for five years, coached in a summer league for five years, and coached in a year-round program for two years.

As the coach for the Crocs, Chris sees the potential in each swimmer and encourages them to do their best. He focuses on technique, recognizing that individuals will progress faster as a swimmer if they are doing a stroke correctly. “I want them to have fun but I also want them to challenge themselves and accomplish things that at the beginning of the summer they didn’t think they could do.”

As the coach, Chris has faced several challenges, including swimmers at different skill and motivation levels. Parents can also be challenging as they have expectations for their children but do not understand the time and work involved to be competitive in the sport.

Chris had help this year from assistant coaches Taylor Routt, Ryan McGhee, Darby Harmon and Tori Hill. Taylor and Ryan swam as members of the Crocs. Darby was around 6 when Chris was her coach in Cabot. “It couldn’t be done without them,” Chris said.

The 2015 season “went great,” according to Chris. “I thought this season was going to be a bust,” he said, adding that initially there were only 40 swimmers signed up and few parent volunteers.

Chris recalls that in its early years, the Crocs never won a meet. The focus was on individuals and their performance, which has continued. The last couple of years, the team started winning meets. This year, the Crocs won two meets, came in second in two and third in one.

At the Meet of Champs, Croc swimmers won 26 first place medals, 21 second place and 18 third place. “The younger swimmers were the stars that day,” he said. “Several kids came away with five medals.”

An end of season party was held for the swim team at Wild River Country. Medals and ribbons from the meet of champs and other special awards were presented to team members.

“It was an emotional day. It still is when I think about it,” Chris said, adding that sunglasses helped to hide tears. Some of the parents and swimmers also shed tears. “I knew that day was going to be hard.”

Chris said summer has been a busy time with swim practices and meets. “I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I look forward to working with those kids every day,” he said. “I am happy when I do that.”

In the days after the end of the season, Chris said he already misses the team and hopes he can continue to be involved. “I’m still looking for some way to coach next year,” he said. “I don’t like to think it may be over.”