One stroke, one milestone at a time for swimming coach's son

Photo by Special to the News Sentinel

From left, Tennessee women’s swim coach Matt Kredich, Ben Kredich, Elise Ball, Ali Weeks and Kim Kredich at the city championship at Allan Jones Intercollegiate Acquatic Center

Photo by Chad Greene
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Josh Young of National Fitness Center competes in the 8-under division of the 25-yard backstroke at the city championship meet Saturday.

Saturday was going to be different for 10-year-old Ben Kredich.

This time he was going to swim fast.

In a little more than 43 seconds later, Ben touched the wall at the far end of the pool at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center before being greeted by all of his cheering teammates.

For Ben, who was diagnosed with autism at the age 2, it was a milestone.

"From the time he woke up to the time he got here, we all asked him if he was going to swim fast," Ben's dad, Matt Kredich, said after the age 9-10 boys' 25-yard freestyle at the Greater Knoxville Area Interclub Swimming Association City Championship Meet. "He dove in and went from one end to the other pretty quickly. He might have breathed twice. It was a big step for him."

Matt Kredich is in his fifth year as swimming coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols. Kredich's career has had many highlights, including coaching Olympic silver medalist Christine Magnuson. For Matt, though, Ben's accomplishment Saturday was just as impressive.

"I've coached Olympians before and I love seeing them be successful," Matt Kredich said. "To see Ben be able to participate and understand something on the next level is every bit as rewarding."

The 25 free was not Ben's average race by any means. His usual approach is to swim a while, then stop and talk to his nearby teammates before finishing up. Ben's mother, Kim Kredich, was taking pictures when she noticed Ben hadn't stopped; he was racing.

"I didn't catch the first part because I didn't know what to expect," Kim Kredich said. "When I noticed that he was really going to the end and touching the wall, I started video taping and shaking. You want him to have the choice to experience the thrill of racing and swimming as fast as he can go."

“From the time he woke up to the time he got here, we all asked him if he was going to swim fast. He dove in and went from one end to the other pretty quickly. He might have breathed twice. It was a big step for him.”

Matt Kredich, on his son, Ben

Ben, along with his twin brother Miles and younger brother Coleman, 8, all swim for the University Swim Club. Though Miles and Ben are fraternal twins, Miles is not autistic.

Two key members of Ben's team are Elise Ball, 17, and Ali Weeks, 17. Ball has worked with Ben as part of the USC Junior Coach Program for the last four years. Weeks began coaching Ben just over a year ago. According to Kim Kredich, the teaching techniques are something any educator could be proud of. For both girls, however, the focus with Ben is purely on having a good time.

"We come up with ways to teach him the strokes and other times we just play," Weeks said.

Ball sums it up much the same way, "It's so much fun. It's the best part of our day."

With swimming so important to the Kredich family, Matt is happy that he can share his passion with Ben.

"We had him (Ben) in the water from almost the time he was born," Matt Kredich said. "He could float and move his head and breathe. He never sank and he could just go for hours. I think he'll always want to be around water. It's relaxation and therapy for him. He understands the water."

And now Ben understands racing. He summed up his accomplishment best.

"I like freestyle swimming," Ben said. "I swam fast."

The next milestone is anyone's guess.

"Ben surprises me quite often," Matt Kredich said. "Just when we're most afraid that he might not have a chance to do something, he rises to the occasion. Kids with autism have the reputation of be inflexible and if you view a person that way, it can confine them in your mind as not being able to learn. Ben has been incredibly resilient."

Notebook: The final events of the City Meet begin today at 9 a.m.

Adam Greene is a freelance contributor.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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