Sports Spotlight - West Orange Times & Observer: AnnDaleigh Rutledge-Jukes

SouthWest Aquatics Stars swimmer AnnDaleigh Rutledge-Jukes may only be 9, but she already is kicking some butt in the pool. AnnDaleigh placed first in her age group at the Area 2 Championships earlier this month at the Lake Brantley Community Athletic Complex in Altamonte.

When did you start swimming and why?

I was 3. It’s mostly a family thing — my brothers swim, and my mom and my dad are coaches. 

What do you like the most about swimming?

Winning trophies!

Which event(s) is your favorite?

I like the very long events.

Who is a teammate at SouthWest you admire?

Lucy Meggison.

What’s some good advice your swim coaches have given you recently?

To not have a “double-butt” — it’s when you’re doing the butterfly and you go in (the water), and you pop your butt out, and then you do it again.

Which event do you think you do the best at?

The 100-yard butterfly. That was my first FLAG time.

What’s your favorite part of swim practice?

When we do dives — except when it’s cold. Then that’s torture!

Do you have any goals for this year?

I have a goal of getting a Triple-A (or AAA; a USA Swimming standard) while I’m 9.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Math because I like multiplying numbers, and then if we get all our math timed tests, every single one, right before the end of the school year, we get an ice cream party.

Who is your favorite Olympic swimmer?

Lilly King.

We hear you got to meet her. What was that like?

It was amazing! She was nice and she signed my swim cap!

What do you think you want to be when you grow up?

An Olympic swimmer. My backup is if my brother’s plans go through, I’ll join him with his pizza shop.

What’s your favorite pizza topping?

Bacon — I like bacon!