A lap ahead of the rest.
Andrea Shacklock and her mom and dad celebrate her award from the DPS Board of Education. photo courtesy Lani Nobles
Andrea Shacklock is one of TJ’s most gifted athletes, and students. Andrea has been an integral part of three different teams: track, volleyball and swimming. Andrea also stands out academically from the rest of the class with her excellent work ethic, and it shows with her outstanding grades. Andrea was not only a state qualifier, but she was also honored with the TJ Outstanding Student Athlete award and was recognized with a proclamation from Board Member Bruce Hoyt and the DPS Board. This is a major honor because only one student from each DPS school is chosen.
Andrea shines the most when competing in the pool. She spends hours every single day perfecting her technique, which has been the case for the past thirteen years. Shacklock’s mom, TJ counselor’s secretary Julie Shacklock, began teaching her how to swim at the young age of four, and she joined her first competitive team at nine. “ I was ready to compete. I knew I had what it took to win,” said Andrea. She joined the local team at Eastmoor swim club, just a few streets down from TJ. Andrea made a great teammate, and also helped her team win three championships. At the age of twelve she received her first state honor, and has been a state qualifier every year since. Still to this day Shacklock swims meets with the Eastmoor club.
Andrea’s swimming career extended into high school, where she was a key part of the varsity swim team her freshman year. She has been on varsity, and lettered and had state qualifying times every season since. This season Andrea has already earned two state qualifying times, an astounding 26.3 second time in the 50 free, and later on a 26.1 second time in the 50 free as well.
With these fantastic times Andrea earned herself a trip to state last Saturday, the 13th of February. Andrea was the only representative from TJ, as she faced off against the best of the best of Colorado’s woman swimmers. She competed in her favorite event, the 50 meter freestyle and ended taking a respectable 35th overall with a time of 26.69.
Photo by Rebecca Holt
Shacklock’s state performance was a great showing of her athletic talent, but that is just one of the many things Andrea excels in at TJ. She is also a very dedicated student who participates in many strenuous honors, X and advanced placement classes. She spends nearly two to three hours per night on homework, which has given her the right to claim herself at the top of the senior class. “It definitely is a lot of work, but in the end I feel so accomplished,” she exclaimed. Her coach agrees, as Cindy Allen states, “ It’s great how she can focus her time on her studies and swimming alike.”
Being the valedictorian is an award given to the senior who finishes at the top of the class, and is an honor for which Andrea is in close contention. Fellow Senior and valedictorian candidate Tommy Moelman said, “She is just so smart. She is one of my close friends and whoever wins, wins!” Shacklock and her 4.67 grade point average plan to attend the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, California.
Andrea also competes in track where she has been a varsity leader every season since her freshman year. Also, she is a very talented volleyball player, and has played varsity her entire high school career. This year Shacklock lead TJ to a 3rd place finish in districts, and was even named to the All-state team, where she will be competing against other states in June. “I have watched almost all of her matches,” exclaims her good friend Lauren Kelch.”She is just an amazing athlete.”
Andrea is a three-sport athlete, and one of TJ’s brightest students. There is certainly a bright future ahead for her, and she has set very high expectations for herself. If she is not in the classroom, you can find her out in the pool, in the gym, or on the court, so make sure to attend every sporting event you can and prepare to be entertained by her great skill.
