Okamoto is big surprise for Coe swimmers
Ayaka Okamoto came to Coe College last summer to learn English and American culture.
By the time she heads back home to Tokyo at the end of the academic year, she’ll have her name prominently listed on the big record-board at the Coe swimming pool on campus.
At the elite Liberal Arts Swimming Championships held the past four days at Principia College in Elsah, Ill., Okamoto finished second in the 100-yard backstroke in record-breaking time. She also swam on several relays that earned medals at the major meet.
No one could be more tickled by the happy happenstance than Okamoto herself or Coach Brian Ruffles.
“I didn’t meet her until the first week of classes in the fall,” says Ruffles. “She’s been a wonderful surprise.”
Indeed, she won her very first race in Coe’s first dual competition back in October and hasn’t stopped winning ever since. Twice this year she was named Iowa Conference Swimmer of the Week.
Besides her numerous relay and backstroke marks, she also has set a school record in the butterfly.
