A journey of endurance and inspiration

Most athletes believe they are determined. Yet, Special Olympics swimmer Kearsty McCoy doesn’t have to tell you she is. People around her are happy to point out that determination. Even her swim coaches will tell you that she is one of the most determined and inspiring athletes they have ever had the pleasure of working with. McCoy returned in late June from competing in Berlin, Germany on the world stage for Special Olympics. She was one of two Oklahoma athletes on Team USA. She returned home with two silver medals – for 800m backstroke and 4x50 medley relay, and 6th place in 100m.

Swimming is an endurance sport and McCoy’s endurance has been inspiring to everyone around her. Beginning at birth, her entire life has been one of endurance.

It’s been a long road. I was told I’d never be able to walk. My momma always taught me you can do whatever you want,” McCoy said.

A few years ago, she was watching her brother Brian swim. His coach was Andrew Bowers. He met McCoy when she was in 6th grade. Two years later, she started swimming with his other athletes. At that time, McCoy was just doing it because she loved being in the water.

“When I went to one of my brother’s meets, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. It came a way for me to express myself. If I was having a hard day at school, I could just get in the pool and swim. Later on, when I started swimming competitively with the Sharks, I found it was really hard.”

McCoy, 24, met a woman last year whose entire world has been dedicated to swimming. That pairing about 10 months ago was life-changing for both women. Barbara Titus, 67, who is known as Coach Barbara, heard of McCoy’s dream to compete in the World Special Olympics. She knew they had some work to do. Titus, a nationally certified coach, moved to Duncan two years ago from California. Her coaching career began at the Santa Clara Swim Club and she’s been at it for nearly 20 years. The SCSC has a reputation for producing Olympian swimmers. Titus mentioned a few, including Donna de Varona.

Immediately, Coach Barbara identified McCoy’s weaknesses.

“I first looked at her swim, I thought, she wasn’t going to make it to the Olympics. The main thing was the body roll. In swimming, you have to have a body roll, so we worked on the body roll. She didn’t get things right away, but I loved her attitude. She goes, ‘I’m gonna get it. I will get it.’ She always got it sooner than I thought she would,” Titus said. Titus is head coach of Vortex Swimming and the Simmons Center is training ground.

“A defining moment for both of us – when I knew she had a chance to do well at the Special Olympics, was when she had a longtime rival of hers in the 100m backstroke, but {Kearsty} never beat her. And she ended up beating her and I knew what we were doing in the water made a difference. I knew, how we are changing our stroke is working, and she beat her longtime rival. It really was defining for us.”

At the homecoming party for McCoy, held June 30 at the Stephens County Fairgrounds, she shared what kept her going.

“God has a plan for you. You just have to follow in his footsteps whether you like it or not. Some days, I’d be like why me,” she said. Achieving her dream of competing in the World Special Olympics was her answer. Coach Barbara announced to the crowd that McCoy was joining the Vortex team as a coach. “I’m looking forward to coaching. I’ve gotten to know the kids and when Coach Barbara asked me, I said yes.” She said everything she has gone through in the last year has helped her go from a shy person to being outgoing. My future plans, I’m hoping to go to World again, but other than that, I haven’t really thought about it.”

Parents, Belinda and Shane, were right there in Berlin to see their daughter’s big moment.

“You spend your whole life watching your kiddo reach for a dream and she made it. It means a lot. She wanted to get a medal,” Belinda said. It was Belinda who approached Coach Barbara about training Kearsty.

“All the disciplines and skills you learn in swimming are disciplines and skills you can apply to life. The thing about swimming is “it’s all you.” It’s your own individual development, and if you’re the kid who doesn’t necessarily fit in groups or group sports, where everybody is relying on each other; great sport for individuals – swimming against yourself, making your own progress – well, swimming is great for them,” Titus said.

A complete photo gallery will be added on our website as time permits.