Small Town Hero

The news that Jake Swartwood was killed in a rock-climbing accident Tuesday stunned me. Immediately I began thinking about the many conversations I had with him.

I first met Jake Swartwood when I was doing a story on him about dragonboats. His dragonboat team had won the state championship. I spent 45 minutes taking photos because it was enjoyable to talk to him, and because there was something special about him.

Jake related the story of winning, but he related the story of practicing in Denver each week too. He said spending time with his uncle and aunt who were on the team was the “most enjoyable part” of the experience. Naturally, he was the ‘lead’ of the boat, a key position that challenged and encouraged the rest of the team to do their best.

I found him to be personable and very likable. It was easy to talk to him, and I went away from the interview thinking he was quite a young man.

So started a friendly relationship where when I would see Jake we'd stop and visit for a few minutes. Frequently I’d see him at the store working, and I'd always leave with an attitude that if we had more young people like him then our future would be bright.

The next story I did on Jake was about his incredible 9th place finish out of 5000 runners in the Denver Marathon this May. There were a few points about the story that underlined Jake's determination and strength. He started back in the pack and had to run the first couple of miles very quickly to get in front. His knee began to hurt around seven miles, but he kept running; by about mile 19 or so he was running with a straight leg, and he just kept going.

He finished his first marathon ever as the 9th place runner. What a feat. Then he found out it wasn't official, because of a faulty time chip given to him by race personnel. They would acknowledge he took 9th, but it wouldn't be official, and that meant he wouldn't be invited to the Boston Marathon, which should have been his right since he earned the invitation.

Jake's attitude? A little “disappointment”, he said as the days went by. Anger, bitterness, or a call for justice? Nope. “Wow, how different than many athletes,” I thought.

A reporter is supposed to be objective, but I couldn't help telling him I was a Jake Swartwood fan. He smiled.

A week or two later I was in the store again and asked Jake what thing he had won recently. He told me he was in a golf tournament. I said, “You won, of course, right?” Jake laughed and said no, and actually he wasn't good at golf. I thanked him for NOT being perfect so we could all still relate to him. We shared a laugh

A few weeks ago Jake told me about being on the championship dragonboat team again this year. Despite handily winning the final race they were disqualified due to some flag being out of place.

I couldn't believe another disappointment that was so unfair. Jake was weathering it again with grace and dignity.

Sunday I saw him at the picnic where he was working, of course. I reminded him to send me some of the info on the dragonboat race so I could do the story. I was going to emphasize his reaction to the unfair circumstances, because that's so different than many top athletes. He was talking to his dad and Jim Klipfel and had the big Jake smile, and I remember at the time thinking I had just missed a good photo.

I'm a Jake Swartwood fan, and forever will be. I suspect there's A LOT of people in the community who feel the same way. God's peace, Jake. You have left a warm spot in our hearts forever.

By: Holly Plattner