Scott Swanson
Lauren Yon, one of the greatest female swimmers ever to represent Sweet Home, signed a letter of intent Wednesday, Nov. 8, to compete for Oregon State University.
Yon, who will begin her senior season for Sweet Home in two weeks, has never lost an individual race in district or state competition, Coach Doug Peargin said.
She holds several individual and relay school records.
“She’s been a tremendous asset for our team,” he said. “She not only is a great athlete and a great person, but she’s a great student. She’ll be a great contributor to society when she gets out of school.
“She’s been one of the powerhouses we have on our team to build around. I truthfully hope somebody flunks her so I can get her again next year,” he added, to loud laughter from a crowd of some 50 family and friends who attended the ceremony in the school library.
Yon said she selected the Beavers after visits to the University of Nevada Las Vegas and Boise State, where her former teammate Lucia Davis is competing this year as a freshman.
“OSU, at first wasn’t my first choice, just because it was so close and I thought ‘I want to go out of state, I want to go experience some new things,'” Yon said.
“I loved Boise State. But then I went and just getting to know the coaches and all the girls (at OSU). I walked on campus and thought, ‘This feels good.’ I just loved everything about it. I definitely loved the atmosphere, and just their team goals and what they aspire to be is something I want to be part of.”
She said she plans to major in psychology with the goal of becoming a child therapist.
“I love helping people,” she said. “That’s a big goal of mine.”
Sweet Home Swim Club Coach Bruce Davis, a former Sweet Home and Division I swimmer, noted that he’s been Yon’s neighbor for 13 years and “watched her grow up – she’s just like a member of our family. She walks in and helps herself to food.”
Davis, who’s also Lucia Davis’ father, said Yon is a leader and a positive influence on teammates.
“She’s really a good example for everybody else around her,” he said. “She always has a positive attitude. I think that rubs off on her teammates.
“When she’s behind the blocks, Lauren’s dancing, she’ll definitely be talking to anyone who’ll listen to her. But when it’s time to go, Lauren’s a fierce competitor. She hates to lose. She loves to compete. And those two things are pretty dangerous for everybody else who’s in the pool.”
Yon said she’s planning to swim whatever the OSU staff wants her to, but she said she prefers middle distance.
“I think that’s what I’m better at – breaststroke and backstroke. I’m super excited.”