For Austin and Suzanne Cohen, the trip from their home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to the NCAA Division III Swimming Championship in Indianapolis is a family reunion of sorts. That’s because two of their daughters are competing on one of college swimming’s biggest stages — but for two different teams.
For these lifelong swim parents, that means packing twice the gear along with twice the pride, as they prepare to divide their time, their cheers and their wardrobes between two teams sitting on opposite sides of the pool deck.
Elizabeth Cohen and Sarah Cohen grew up swimming side by side, from summer league to their club team, the Jersey Wahoos, to their high school team, Cherry Hill East. For years, they practiced in the same lane, wore the same cap and rode home in the same car. But this is the first time in their lives they’ll be on deck together, not as teammates.
Elizabeth is a junior at Johns Hopkins University, studying molecular and cellular biology and economics, with aspirations of going to medical school. Known for her sprint speed, the older of the swimming sisters has earned All-American honors this week for her performances on her team’s 200 freestyle relay and as the anchor of the 400 medley relay. She is also competing in the 100 free and leading off the 400 free relay. Sarah, a freshman, attends Washington University in St. Louis in the College of Arts & Sciences. Also a freestyle specialist, the youngest Cohen sister has more of a drive for distance. Her events in Indy this week include the 200, 800 and 1500 freestyles, as well as the 800 free relay, where she earned All-American Honors.
Hannah, the third and oldest Cohen sister, is a graduate of Haverford College, currently pursuing a Master’s degree in marine biology. She swam summer league with her sisters, but as a gifted singer, she preferred to showcase her talent on a musical stage rather than in the pool.
photo courtesy of Austin Cohen
Each day at NCAAs, Austin and Suzanne closely follow the heat sheet and timeline to do some racing of their own. Not through the water, but from one side of the IU Natatorium to the other, to cheer with the team of whichever daughter is in the pool. Decked out in hoodies from one team and hats from the other, they rush to the Lane 1 side to sit with the boisterous Wash U Bears, and quickly “hop” back to the Lane 8 side to bellow with the Blue Jays! And after Saturday’s finals, the parents will divide and conquer, each attending a different daughter’s team dinner.
While remaining focused on their swimming, the sisters have still managed to catch some time together on deck. And on one competition day, the family was able to share a short lunch together, between prelims and finals. “It is really heartwarming to see them spending time together on deck,” Austin said. “It feels like swimming has made them closer. And for us, being part of two different teams means we get to be a part of two different swim families,” he added. “It’s been a fun dynamic.”
Their path to the pool wasn’t exactly a straight line, as Elizabeth and Sarah tried a variety of sports when they were younger, Austin explained. “They played tee-ball and tennis, gymnastics and field hockey. They tried track and field for a while, too — Elizabeth as a sprinter and Sarah as a distance runner.” But somehow they both found their way to swimming, following their hearts and that black line at the bottom of the pool.
Photo courtesy of Austin Cohen
Austin was a high school swimmer himself, although he admits he wasn’t very good. So he was surprised one day when he asked his daughters why they had chosen swimming. Elizabeth answered, “Because you were a swimmer, Dad,” he recalled with a smile. “I guess I never told them the part about not being very good,” he added jokingly. Nonetheless, he is proud to have been their inspiration.
Whether at home in Jersey or on the road for a meet, whether the races are long or short, when it comes to swimming, the Cohen family has truly gone the distance together.
This is the best story so far!!!
Years ago, JHU and WU were together in the UAA.
That is a lot of Tuition!
Eco goat
Love this story! The parents seem to find the challenge of 2 swimmers on two separate teams with a sense of humor and a lot of pride! Two sets of clothes to represent whichever daughter they are cheering for! Perhaps they’ll have another year again, to switch clothing for whichever team their swimmers are swimming for! Good luck to both young women in their swimming and other academic careers!
Great family! Proud of these girls!!!!
What a beautiful story. My hats off to the Cohen family for having both the will and the energy to support both children and both swim families.