Outside the Press Box :: Dr. David Davis

     In 2005 -- I attended the Houston Athletic Committee banquet where Friendswood basketball and baseball standout Jeff Claydon was nominated for two awards. Claydon was one of four finalists for the Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete Award and also a Baseball Award finalist. He received the Baseball Award presented to the outstanding scholar-athlete of that particular sport in the Houston area.
   It was during that time that I met Jeff's parents -- Fritz and Julie Claydon who were present at the awards dinner. The younger sister of Jeff was also there. Little did I know that she would be the next Claydon who would rise to athletic stardom while also excelling in the classroom.
   For the past four years -- it has been a joy to watch Jenny Claydon mature from a sheepish freshman swimmer to a beautiful and caring senior who has set the example to all of her teammates as someone who is committed to making her education a priority while also achieving great success as an athlete.
    The petite swimmer with the winsome smile qualified for the state meet her freshman year after winning Region VI "Swimmer of the Year" honors. Claydon won silver medals in the 100 and 200 freestyle at the 4A state meet giving her the highest finish of any female swimmer in FHS history. But that would be just the beginning.
  Claydon is the most decorated swimmer that FHS has ever had as she has dominated the district and region meets the past four years. That includes: 16 gold medals at district, 14 gold and two silver medals at region, and one gold and six silver medals at state. She was named the Region VI Girls "Swimmer of the Year" again this year.
   However, swimming is just one facet of Claydon's life as she is currently ranked No. 4 out of 429 seniors and scored 2200 on the SAT. Claydon also was selected as a Peer Assisted Leader (PAL). As a PAL, she works with 3-or-4 younger kids in the school district that are having difficulties in their life whether it is at home or in school.
  She is a member of National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society (Mu Alpha Theta), National Art Honor Society, National Spanish Exam (Silver Medal), AP Scholar with Honor, National Merit Scholar Competition, and Commended Student.
   This past weekend -- I watched Claydon compete in her final state swim meet. For the first time -- she didn't win a medal as she changed events from the 100 and 200 freestyle to the 100 butterfly and 200 Individual Medley. She still won those two events at the district and regional meets.
   I could tell she was a little disappointed. But it wasn't because she didn't give it her all. She finished fifth in the 200 IM and seventh in the 100 fly -- earning a place as one of the top eight swimmers in the state in both of those events. You don't need a medal when you are still among the best of the best.
   I have a funny feeling, at this stage of her life, it is no longer about medals to hang around your neck, but about striving to improve and attempt different challenges.
   In a few months - Claydon will be leaving home to begin a new educational and athletic journey at the University of Pennsylvania.
    "I always knew that I wanted to swim at a school that had a good balance between academics and swimming," Claydon said. "Penn, being an Ivy League school, has academics many schools cannot compete with and offers the opportunity to attend the Wharton School of Business. I also looked at Emory University and Rice University, but it came down to not being able to pass up an Ivy League education."
   Swimming has taught Claydon many life lessons that she will carry throughout her life.
  "I have learned that nothing will come easy and success takes work every single day," FHS coach (John) Little always said it was like looking at practice each day as a popcorn kernel to earn so that at the end of the year there is a bowl full of popcorn to eat."
   So - here's to you Jenny Claydon -- I know you already have a bowl full of popcorn and knowing you -- you will be glad to share it with others.
   E-mail: drdd@swbell.net