Caden Gillmore '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Caden Gillmore and I am 18 years old. I love to swim and have been swimming for as long as I can remember. My parents tell stories of when I was a toddler and I would strip off my life vest and go jump in the water trying to swim with my older brother and sister. Lifeguards were always on high alert! I joined the Greeley Country Club swim team at the age of 5 and swam Colorado State Summer Club for years. I still hold two state records in the 400 Free and the 100 Fly and won other state champion medals. My last coach there was Eric Ebeling. 

When I entered high school, I was excited to swim more competitively. I swam for Greeley West all four years of high school under Colin Shaha. I also played soccer for years and joined the Frontier Academy team my freshman year. In addition, I was on the Frontier Academy golf team all four years. But swimming was always my favorite.

My life changed in December 2018 when I lost my older brother Connor in a single car rollover accident. He was only 22 and he was an organ donor. This family tragedy set me back as I took a little time off to be with my family and allow my mental health to heal. My brother was also a swimmer and his favorite stroke was also the butterfly. He was my hero and I looked up to him. When I came back to swimming, I was greeted with open arms because swimmers are my family too and all of them knew Connor. I even worked with my parents and designed a swim cap in his memory that I handed out to everyone.

I got right back in the water to get back in shape for the high school season. I find so much peace in the water. But then COVID hit and I lost my junior year season, like so many others. I continued to train with the NOCO Swim Club on a limited basis due to COVID restrictions. My senior year was definitely not “normal” due to COVID and we finished our season in the summer. I qualified for state in two individual events – the 100 fly and 500 free – as well as being a member of two relays. Our team placed 3rd and only lost to the winning team by 11 points.

I am still swimming for NOCO swim club with Maria Strait, while working and taking a couple classes at Aims Community College. I chose to stay close to home this first year after graduation for a few reasons, but mainly to be there for my younger brother as he started high school and began swimming for Greeley West. But I am now ready to take the next step and I am looking forward to the opportunity to swim competitively in college.