Making waves: Pusch Ridge's hidden gem shines in the swim community

It’s around 4 p.m. on a Wednesday, and in true Tucson fashion, it’s 99 degrees outside during the first week of fall.

But the real heat is just beginning in the swim lanes at the Oro Valley Aquatic Center, where Pusch Ridge Christian Academy junior Reagan Edquid is getting started on her second swim practice of the day.

Rocking a navy blue swim cap and powder blue swimsuit embellished with stingrays, she dives in.

Second after second, she pushes herself forward, occasionally coming up for a breath of air, as she makes her way from one end of the lane to the other.

She completes lap after lap for well over an hour, working on her form rather than her time, something she says is her focus this season.

“I’m not really limiting myself to a time because I feel like that gets a little bit stressful and you get inside your head a little bit,” Edquid said. “I’m more focused on just being completely, technically sound by (the) state (tournament).”

While the clock isn’t her primary focus this season, time has definitely been on her side in the last year.

She’s currently No. 3 in the state for the 100 breaststroke (individual) with a time of 01:04.99. She’s also No. 4 in Arizona for the 200 medley (individual), logging a time of 02:07.45 on Sept. 20.

Last season, she recorded 10 first-place finishes.

And before this season, she was named as one of the state’s top 15 high school swimmers by the Arizona Republic.

“I feel like we’re doing really, really well right now,” Edquid said. “I’m super happy with where I am at this point in time and I’m excited to see what we’ll do at state.”

For Pusch Ridge’s head swim coach, Jason Cann, her accomplishments aren’t a surprise.

“She’s the most dedicated kid to a sport that I’ve ever seen,” he said. “She’s on time every day. She finishes her assignments every day. She’s obedient. She’s humble. … She could strut around the deck like she owns the place because she is a beast, but she never lets that go to her head. So, she’s modeling Christ by being humble. But she’s also hungry. Humble but hungry. … She has those character attributes that we want to instill in everyone.”

Outside of Pusch Ridge Swim, Edquid is an avid competitive swimmer with Aquabear Swim Club.

She first began swimming as a kid, taking lessons at DeMont Family Swim School in northwest Tucson. By the time she was 4 years old, she had started swimming competitively.

“I started off with a whole bunch of different sports like soccer and gymnastics, but then I really just fell in love with the sport of swimming,” she said. “I really loved competing and being behind the blocks and having that adrenaline rush when the buzzer goes off, and then you just hit the water, and it’s just really calming. So, it was just really my love for the water and I really just love swimming. It’s been a part of my life, my whole entire life.”

Swimming is challenging, both physically and mentally. But whenever the sport becomes difficult, Edquid finds herself turning to her faith.

Before every race, Edquid says a quick prayer, thanking Christ for giving her the courage to swim.

“Every race, I thank Him. I glorify Him. Even if it’s a bad race, I glorify Him through the bad races, through the good races, through the ups and downs,” she said. “He’s with me all the time. He’s a constant.”

In her element

Edquid likes to stay busy.

She starts nearly every morning with a swim practice with her club, followed by school, which includes homeschooling and a class at Pusch Ridge, where she is a part-time student.

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After school, she heads over to her final swim practice of the day with the rest of the Lions.

Plus, squeeze in time for dryland training throughout the week and finishing daily assignments that help maintain her perfect GPA, her schedule can get quite crowded. But that doesn’t bother her much.

She takes advantage of every moment, especially her free time, where she likes to read fantasy or historical fiction books, play card games or crochet.

Still, school and swim are always on her radar.

Vice versa, Edquid is on a few colleges’ radars for her achievements in the water.

Multiple Division I universities have shown interest in Edquid, including all three state universities, Grand Canyon University, the United States Military Academy and the Air Force Academy.

Pusch Ridge, which is a Div. III swim school doesn’t typically have a lot of Div. I athletes, Cann says. But Edquid could help turn the tide, no pun intended.

“She’s a possible Olympian one day,” Cann said.

With another year left in her high school career, she’s laser-focused on making it count before diving into her next swim journey — wherever that may take her.

“We’re a super tight community. Everyone supports everyone. We’re good sports,” Edquid said. “I just really love that feeling of being behind the blocks and getting that adrenaline rush. You can hear the crowd screaming. You step up, you hear the buzzer go, and then you hit the water, and it’s just you and that black line and you just do your best.”

Fast Five with Reagan

What are your swimming necessities?

My kickboard. I love kick sets, so that’s probably one thing I can’t live without. I also really like colorful swimsuits. That definitely gives me a pop of energy, especially in the morning.

What’s your favorite fall snack?

The pumpkin bread from Starbucks.

What are you currently reading?

“Divergent.”

Where’s your dream place to swim?

I want to swim in Greece, because it’s really, really pretty. But Germany is also really pretty. They have beautiful mountains. So, probably Germany or Greece.

What’s your current favorite class?

American Sign Language 3.