Friday, March 29, 2024

Native finds niche in swimming

Native finds niche in swimming
Virginia Snake-Bumann holds up a ribbon from the Tri-State Swim League competition where she won her heat. Snake-Bumann is 13 years old and has been swimming for two years. She said she enjoys swimming because it makes her feel free and weightless. (Courtesy photo)

Virginia Snake-Bumann holds up a ribbon from the Tri-State Swim League competition where she won her heat. Snake-Bumann is 13 years old and has been swimming for two years. She said she enjoys swimming because it makes her feel free and weightless. (Courtesy photo)

WINDOW ROCK

When Virginia Snake-Bumann “Tiny Snake” makes her way through water during a swim meet, the cheers start to ring out.

Snake-Bumann is 13 years old and a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

“I really like swimming because I feel free. I feel like I’m flying,” she said.

“Tiny” has been her nickname since she can remember but her love for swimming is more recent.

About two years ago, Snake-Bumann started swimming after her dad recommended she start practicing for a triathlon she wanted to enter.

However before she could get her feet wet in the pool, her father passed away.

“I do it for my dad,” she said about her swimming, adding that he liked her active and competitive spirit.

While swimming started out as a way to remember her dad, it has now become apart of her.

When big events are coming up or school tests are looming, Snake-Bumann said she takes to the water to clear her mind.

“It’s become a big part of my life. I don’t know what I would do with out it,” she said.


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