Former star takes over Grafton swim

A key member from the golden age of Grafton High School girls’ swimming is now running the program.

Mallory Fox, one of the most decorated swimmers in program history with 11 medals and a member of teams that won a state championship, finished runner-up and in third, is the Black Hawks’ new head coach.

“It was really kind of surreal walking in there and seeing the pool,” Fox said.

Fox is a 2017 grad who was in the same class as Autumn Haebig, who went on to become an All-American at Nebraska and competed in Olympic Trials. The Hawks won the state title in 2014, were second in 2015 and third in 2016. She was part of relay teams that set state records in the 200 and 400-yard freestyle relays. All four members swam at Division 1 colleges — Fox at Iowa, Natalie Keshemberg at Michigan State and Emma O’Brien at South Dakota.

Fox still holds school records in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle races.

“During my parent meeting, one of my seniors pointed it out,” she said. “ If I have my records broken, I want it to be one of the girls I’m coaching.”

Fox works as a server and bartender in the area and is taking real estate classes.

Her assistant coach is Molly Hosack, a Cedarburg High alumna who swam for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The two are leading a small team in trying to rebuild the program. Grafton has 11 swimmers.

“We have a really strong group of girls who are really going to push themselves in practices,” Fox said.

“I just always try to tell people it’s not always about the numbers. It’s your heart and desire and wanting to do well. Our tiny team can definitely make waves.”

Senior Lane Walton has been excelling, as has sophomore Layla Coppersmith.

“I really do see such hard-working girls that we could get one to state this year,” Fox said.

She is trying to install some of the same traditions she had while at Grafton.

“I have vision boards and goal sheets we hung around the pool,” she said.

“We had a craft day. I can physically see what each team member wants for their goals.”

Fox’s goal is improvement.

“These girls gotta be pushed. I can tell some want to push back real hard. I have very high standards for myself for all the head coaches I’ve had in my life,” Fox said.

She credited her former coaches — Adan Burgos, John Douglass, Tom Miazga and Steve Keller — for pushing her to be better.

Fox got into swimming through her father Chris, who swam in high school and is a club coach. She was put in the pool at 6 in Tennessee where she lived briefly before her family moved to Wauwatosa, then Grafton.

“My dad is a huge inspiration and motivator for me. Every team I’ve ever gone to he has found a way to make it to the coaching staff,” Fox said.

She is using some of her father’s program.

“My dad keeps journals of practices so I had to go into the archive and pull those out,” Fox said.

Her coaching philosophy is “just showing up. Even if you think that you’re not the fastest girl on the team or have the best skills, show up for yourself or your teammates. Just show up for the practice, be part of the team,” she said. “As much as I am a serious competitor I want this to be fun.”

Grafton last Thursday lost at Cedarburg, 148-23.

Ruby Adams was third in the 100 breaststroke in 1 minute, 34.92 seconds. Grace Nolte was fourth in 1:35.39.

Grafton’s other top finishers were: Coppersmith, fourth, 200 freestyle, 2:29.95, and fourth, 100 freestyle, 1:07.84; Adams, fourth, 200 individual medley, 3:07.84; Nolte, fourth, 50 freestyle, 29.39; Elizabeth Coleman, fifth, 100 freestyle, 1:23.69; and fifth, 50 freestyle, 37.36; Walton, fourth, 100 backstroke, 1:34.01; and Eden Elmendorf, fifth, 500 freestyle, 7:03.28.

The 200 freestyle relay was third in 2:06.85 and the 400 freestyle relay was third in 4:44.32.

Grafton hosts Plymouth on Thursday, Sept. 17, and swims in the Pirate Invite in Port Washington on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Port loses at Whitefish Bay

Port Washington lost, 124-61, to Whitefish Bay last Thursday. Amanda Lotz won the 200 freestyle in 1:58.02 and the 500 in 5:16.73.

Port swims at Nicolet on Thursday, Sept. 17, and hosts its invite on Saturday.