By Elizabeth Contreras
Bartlesville junior Parker Shoesmith has already logged nine years in the pool, a path that started close to home. Watching his older sister swim sparked his interest, and that early catalyst has turned into a skill set built for distance, the individual medley (IM), and breaststroke.
Shoesmith’s patience, control, and grit were on full display when he rewrote his team’s record board, breaking the open 400 IM and 200 IM long course records. It is a moment that stands out for Shoesmith, not just for the times but for what it confirmed. He belongs in conversations that matter.
His motivation is fueled by chasing the standard set both others. Bartlesville alumnus Griffin Craig has been a major influence, not just as someone he looks up to, but as a benchmark. Craigs’s records remain firmly in his sights.
“He has really inspired me, and some of his times are records I want to beat,” Shoesmith said.
His goals this season are demanding by any measure, but they’re grounded in the work he’s already put in and the trajectory he’s shown in the pool.
“My goals are to break the state record in the 500 freestyle and get first in the 200 IM,” he added.
Outside the pool, he is active in his youth group and works as a lifeguard, being sure to stay connected to the water even off the clock. After high school, Shoesmith plans to further his education and swim in college. Thanks to a swim program that is highly competitive, Shoesmith is more than prepared for that next chapter.
More than anything else, Shoesmith says he’s grateful for the support system that has helped him reach this point, especially his parents for their constant time and commitment, and his coaches, past and present, for developing his skills while motivating him to be his best.
With records already written and bigger ones still ahead, he continues to train with purpose over pressure. He knows that nothing is given in the pool, and what separates him isn’t just talent; it’s the way he shows up every day, trusting the work will eventually speak for itself.
