MADISON-  Claudia Hollis is among the top five efforts of the James Clemens High swim team school record book in six different events. The senior Jet recently signed a letter of intent with Lindenwood University located in St. Charles, Missouri earning an academic scholarship. For Hollis, her journey to become a college swimmer did not actually begin at age eight when she began to swim as part of a summer sport, but when she was born with a serious neurological disorder.

Born with a portion of her brain abnormally small, the condition caused the young Hollis to suffer seizures. She has been cleared of her condition for several years, but her disorder at a young age is what guided her to become successful in swimming and her academics.

“Knowing the condition could possibly keep me from swimming made me push myself to succeed,” said Hollis. “I overcame my disorder and have had a great outcome.”

The daughter of Jason and Buffy Hollis, the talented swimmer for James Clemens joined a group of her childhood friends to take up swimming and they soon migrated to competitive efforts in the pool. Her love for the sport led her to give up playing other sports such as softball, soccer, tennis and occasional trap shooting. Those decisions led to her to earn a scholarship as she carries a weighted 4.3 grade point average. Signing to swim in college is something Hollis thought would ever happen.

“Absolutely not,” said Hollis. “My parents have a strong belief in me and my two siblings to be active in some type of sports. I began to have a passion for swimming and it wasn’t too long ago I began to see myself going somewhere with this sport. I’m now reaping the benefits of my hard work for the past decade.”

“Claudia works hard both in the water and in the classroom and she has been a great addition to our swim team,” said Kate Wade head coach of James Clemens swim team. “We are excited that she is continuing her swimming career at the collegiate level.”

The Lindenwood Lions are a NCAA Div. II program that finished sixth in the nationals a year ago. Hollis specialized in both the backstroke and freestyle events primarily as a sprinter.

Hollis is currently in a pre-med program, certified in several areas of the medical field and is looking to become a veterinarian due to her love for animals. “I guess I should as I have a 100-pound dog, three cats and a 20-gallon fish tank,” said Hollis with a laugh.

Her younger sister, Alexandria, is a member of the James Clemens swim team and younger brother, Jacob, is currently swimming for a club team. Hollis feels she has shown her siblings that working hard can pay off at the end. She has proved to herself that growth, both physically and mentally, can lead to better things in life and boost her passion for her favorite sport.

“I love it just as much as ever,” added Hollis.