Norman North’s Jemerie Brister

By Ivy Knapp

For Jemerie Brister, swimming has been a constant in her life for as long as she can remember. She’s been in the sport for 13 years, and it all started for a reason close to home.                                                                            “I was jealous of my siblings who got to swim in the swim meets, and I had to sit in the stands.” That early motivation shaped into the swimmer she is today.

Among all the strokes, the butterfly has always come easiest to her.                                                                             “I feel strongest in the butterfly because it’s always come natural to me,” she said.

That makes it fitting that the 100 fly is her favorite event to race. Before she steps onto the block, she keeps her routine straightforward, “I put on my headphones and listen to music.”

Even on morning meets, she sticks to her routine of sausage, eggs, and waffles before warming up, doing her therapy band work, and getting back into her music zone. Like any athlete, Jemerie has faced challenges along the way. The hardest challenge she’s faced is overcoming sport-related injuries and having to find ways to entertain herself when she couldn’t swim. She still finds motivation by reminding herself how every tough moment will pay off later.                                         

“I keep motivated by thinking about how much it will help me in the long run.” Jemerie said.

This season, she’s focused on one main goal: to get a personal best in her 100 fly.

Balancing school and swimming aren’t always easy, but she’s found her rhythm.                                                         “I do my schoolwork in any free time I have so I don’t have to stay up late,” she explained.

Through the years, one memory stands out above the rest.                 

“When my sister was a senior and I was a freshman, and we were standing next to each other on the podium at state,” she said.

Her older sister, Jadie, continues to be her biggest influence.                                                                            “She’s been my biggest cheerleader since day one. She does critique my technique, but it helps me know what I need to fix,” Jemerie said.

Swimming has taught her discipline and the truth behind hard work paying off. To younger swimmers, her advice is to not give up if your times aren’t improving. Being on the swim team means representing her school with pride and being part of a family. After graduation, she plans to swim in college while deciding between a Pre-Med or Business path.