Hilton an inspiration in our own backyard
Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
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 | Travis Lazarcyzk |
You will watch the Olympics, and you'll look for heroes. The New England Patriots' Super Bowl win is barely a week old, the aura surrounding Tom Brady and Adam Vinatieri isn't even close to cold, and already you point your heart west, looking for new heroes in Salt Lake City.
You will watch the Olympics, and you'll hope to see something amazing. Maybe Bode Miller or Kirsten Clark will bring gold medals back to Sugarloaf, or perhaps there will be another Miracle on Ice.
You will watch because you want something or somebody to make your heart leap out of your chest. You will watch because you want to be inspired.
You don't have to look toward Salt Lake City for inspiration. All you have to do is look toward Skowhegan.
Nikki Hilton competed in her last race of the season for the Skowhegan Area High School swimming team on Saturday when she anchored the Indians' 400-yard freestyle relay team at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championships. Many swimmers finished ahead of Hilton, but not one of them worked harder.
At the age of three, a brain tumor caused Hilton to suffer a stroke. Since then Hilton, now a 16-year old junior, has had limited use of her left arm. She can't lift her arm over her shoulder, which makes it difficult for her to swim competitively.
Difficult, but not impossible. Hilton decided on that when she was in eighth grade, when she and her friend Hannah Jones decided they would join the swim team.
"We practiced all summer long," says Jones.
"She's the hardest worker I've ever coached," says Alissa Downing, Skowhegan's first-year coach. "She's modest and quiet but very determined."
Hilton competes in freestyle events and the backstroke. On Saturday, she shaved nearly a second off her seed time in the 100-yard backstroke, finishing with a time of 2 minutes, 17.99 seconds. She strokes with her right arm, focused on the task at hand. Hilton's entire team lines the edge of the pool, cheering her on.
"It's hard being last all the time, but that's what you have to deal with," she says shortly before the start of her 100 backstroke heat. "You just suck it up. I have next year to get better. Always draw a time."
Hilton doesn't ask for special treatment, she doesn't need it. Downing makes sure that Hilton competes in either lane one or six, so she can use the ladder to get out of the pool.
"We don't have many adaptations," says Hilton. "(Downing) doesn't make it obvious that, you know..." With her right hand, Hilton sets her left arm at her side.
Hilton is able to use her left arm a little in freestyle events now. When she's not swimming, Hilton is cheering on her teammates. When she was a freshman, Hilton was the Skowhegan swimmer of the year.
"We see her and how valuable she is," says Downing.
At the KVAC's, everybody saw how valuable Hilton is. As she completed the 400 freestyle relay, her final lap of the season, Hilton swam to the steady applause of the Alfond Youth Center crowd in Waterville.
"Everyone appreciates how hard she works," said Jones.
Watch the Olympics. Look for heroes and inspiration from the world's athletes. Just don't overlook the ones in your own backyard.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com