A few years ago, Avon’s own Joleigh Crye took a short walk across the turf of our football stadium at graduation as the most accomplished swimmer our school district has ever seen. 

In a few short weeks, Crye, now a senior marketing major at the University of Cincinnati, will again take a short walk - this time across the court at UC’s Fifth Third Basketball Arena - as one of the most accomplished swimmers the NCAA Division I university has ever produced. 

Some things change but others, it would seem, stay the same.

Crye finished her collegiate swimming career off with a flourish last month, taking 8th in the 100-yard breaststroke at the NCAA Division I Championships in Atlanta, Ga. It was Crye’s second straight top 8 finish at NCAAs following her 4th place showing in the same event in 2025. 

“My main goal this season was to make it to top 8 at NCAAs, and I did just that so I went into finals having fun and soaking in the last moments of my career,” said Crye, Avon class of 2022. “I love swimming so much and it’s been such a huge part of my life since I was young that I always thought I was going to be so sad when I finished my last race. But now, reaching the end, I feel very happy and satisfied. I’m ready for the next chapter of my life.”

In her four years at Cincinnati, Crye’s created a lasting legacy for herself. 

She’s a four-time NCAA Championships qualifier (100-yard breaststroke, 2023-2026; 200-yard medley relay, 2025), a two-time Big 12 Champion (100-yard breaststroke, 2025-2026) and a two-time NCAA All-American (100-yard breaststroke, 2025-2026). 

In 2024, she competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials, finishing 16th in the 100-meter breaststroke while swimming against the likes of three-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Lilly King. 

At UC, Crye holds program records in the 50- and 100-yard breaststroke, the 50- and 100-yard butterfly, the 200-yard medley relay, the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 400-yard medley relay as well as top 10 program times in the 50-yard freestyle and the 200-yard breaststroke.

And while Crye’s certainly enjoyed all her accomplishments, it’s not the titles or time drops that she takes the most pride in. It’s the way she’s pursued her goals - tirelessly, without compromise and with an inexhaustible sense of gratitude - that, years from now, Crye thinks will stand out most prominently in her memory.

“Starting in high school, the way I ate, the way I recovered, how much sleep I got - everything I did was considering swimming. Even if I swam a best time, after the race I’d be thinking to myself ‘How can I get faster,’” she said. “I always tried to focus on mindset and growth too, which I think a lot of people forget to consider. To be successful you have to be happy, which isn’t always easy in a sport this hard. Finding ways to stay positive and practicing gratitude goes further than you can imagine.”

Despite her long list of collegiate successes, Crye counts qualifying for the New York State Boys Swimming Championships in the 100-yard butterfly her senior year of high school as one of the most meaningful accomplishments of her career, not only because it marked the successful culmination of months of effort, but for what it represented. 

“I didn’t think it was possible, but I remember doing 3 or 4 hours of swimming a day that year because I wanted it so bad,” she said. “There were some tears shed after the race while giving my mom and sister a hug. I walked out to the song ‘Girl on Fire’ and was proud to show the girls in the community that you can do anything.”

Other memories, not of qualifying times, but of teammates, are just as meaningful.

Like the time at the 2025 NCAA Championships in Seattle when she and her 200-yard medley relay teammates sat down together one night after touring the city and went around the circle to compliment and appreciate one another. 

“That’s something people don’t do very often but it was a real confidence boost,” she said. “That’s definitely the thing I’m going to miss most about swimming - my teammates. I have met my best friends through swimming. I know they will be my friends for the rest of my life.”

And while Crye doesn’t see the sport remaining a big part of her life - “Years down the road I can see myself coaching high school maybe, but not anytime soon,” - she seems content to leave her competitive career behind and is moving forward toward her next chapter with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. For her parents, Tom and Ann Marie, her sister, Jessie, her coaches past and present, and for an Avon community that has always had her back.  

“Almost all of my teammates and competitors in college are from very large and extremely competitive club teams and high school teams but coming from a smaller, more supportive community makes smaller successes more meaningful,” Crye said. “I have always tried to make Avon proud but even if I missed a cut or didn’t perform my best, I knew they’d still be there in my corner, which is not something that most people get to experience.” 

Photos courtesy of Ann Marie Crye and University of Cincinnati Athletics