LORA KNIGHT / Scroll
Jon Saxton, a senior from Ames, Iowa, and a former St. Olaf swimmer, now competes in his fifth semester for the BYU-Idaho swimming program. He currently swims and coaches for the Spartans.

BYU-Idaho’s athletics program gives students an equal opportunity to participate in their choice of sports, regardless of ability or previous experience.

You could say Jon Saxton has an advantage.

Jon Saxton, a senior from Ames, Iowa, transferred to BYU-I after attending St. Olaf College in Minnesota and swimming for its team. While intercollegiate sports are exciting, there were things about St. Olaf Saxton didn’t like.

“There were two schools in the town [where I went to school], and there were three members. … Just the fact that everybody [at BYU-I] is a member of the same church is a big help, especially socially,” Saxton said.

Many college athletes don’t have time to participate in everything they would like, which is one disadvantage Saxton didn’t find at BYU-I. Besides the predominantly LDS student body, Saxton said he also likes the variety of activities he can be involved in.

“My favorite part [about BYU-I] would probably be the opportunities we have here. I play in a jazz combo and T.A. a lab, and I wouldn’t be able to do all that with my time if I was trying to swim too,” Saxton said.

At St. Olaf, Saxton’s swim team practiced six days a week for three hours a day. At BYU-I, his team trains only twice a week.

“We’re not as serious, which I think helps a lot because you’re trying to focus on school and a lot of other things besides just swimming. It’s more fun,” Saxton said.

Saxton swims and coaches for the Spartans and their next meet is the competitive swim league’s championship meet, held Dec. 1 and 2 at 4 p.m. and 10 a.m., respectively.