“You can’t swim a thousand fly every day, but I’m glad I could today,” said Mary Bean as she and Coach Kat walked out of Wilson’s Fitness Center together, their arms full of gifts for children in central Missouri.
Monday, December 22, 2025, marked the first annual Jingle Bell Swim at Wilson’s Forum. Led by Kathryn Fishman-Weaver (“Coach Kat”), the event embodied her USMS practice group rules: swimmers are for challenge, fun, and each other.
The event was organized around a focus swim, a focus non-profit, and extra holiday joy.
Participants each chose a primary event for the evening and then swam it 10 times. Mary chose the 100 butterfly; triathletes Paula Rawlings, Jenny Burleson, and Gretta Cohoon focused on freestyle (with options for 100- or 200-yard repeats); and Kelsey Fishman and Lilah Weaver focused on breaststroke.
Along the way, the USMS practice group laughed through swim challenges like a snowball relay, a jingle bell hop dolphin kick set, and an underwater treasure hunt. Each participant also completed two Individual Medley (IM) swims and a partner kick. Coach Kat says sets with stroke variety help improve agility and confidence.
The special winter event included a gift drive for Heart of Missouri CASA, a non-profit organization that supports children navigating foster care in Boone and Callaway counties. Swimmers brought board books, craft kits, tumblers, and more to make the holiday season—and home visits—a little brighter.
Each swimmer received a custom wave phone stand and bragging rights for completing an event that was good for the body, the mind, and our community.
