Bartlesville’s Ashlynn Taylor

By Elizabeth Contreras

By the time Ashlynn Taylor steps behind the blocks, the routine is familiar. With a few deep breaths and a quick round of high fives with teammates, she stays grounded. Then silence, broken only by the sound of water and the starter’s call. For a Bartlesville senior who has spent the last six years in the pool, these moments reflect her journey built on consistency and a deep belief in the people swimming beside her. 

“I first became interested in swimming because it was a sport that I had not tried yet,” she said, a decision that ultimately led her to years of growth, discipline, and connection.

Known for her strength in the butterfly and breaststroke, she finds a unique sense of calm even in the most demanding moments of competition. 

“They have a certain fluidity to them that almost makes them feel relaxing, even when I am swimming fast,” she explained. That balance between power and grace has become a hallmark of her racing style.

While individual performance is important, her proudest moments in the sport have little to do with medals or times. Instead, it is the collective success of her teammates that bring her the most pride. 

“Everyone around you is rooting for your success, which I think is an incredibly unique quality that our team has,” Taylor shared.

That’s sense of encouragement is something Taylor experiences daily, and she said that much of that atmosphere starts with head coach Chad Englehart. His belief in athletics, she explained, helped shape the supportive culture that defines the Bartlesville program. 

“The person who has had the most influence on my swimming journey has been Coach Chad,” Taylor said. “He has believed in me even when I did not believe in myself and has always pushed me to strive for more.”

For Taylor, that trust has made a lasting impact, reinforcing both her confidence in the pool and her commitment to the teammates swimming beside her.

After graduation, Taylor plans to attend Valparaiso University to study nursing and continue competing in the pool at level Division I and just as those quiet moments before the starter’s call have grounded her for years, Taylor steps into the next chapter with the same calm confidence.