Remembering Jewel Cooke

Jewel Cooke started swimming with USMS in 1980 at the age of 72 after she retired from teaching and coaching. In 21 years of Masters swimming, Jewel set 47 national records and 24 world records in four different age groups. She was a 10-time All-American and three-time All Star. She achieved 74 number one swims in the USMS Top 10 and 33 number one swims in the world Top 10. She was the first women to complete a 200 fly and 400 IM in the 90-94 age group.

Her granddaughter said, “It has always brought great pleasure in typing ‘Jewel Cooke’ on Google and have my grandma fill in the first entire page of her accomplishments.”

She was the Michigan AAU Coach of the Year three times (1967, 68, 71), was honored by the American Red Cross for 75 years of volunteer work and a nominee for the United Foundation Sports Women-of-the-Year Award. When she retired from age group coaching in 1976, she received a letter of commendation and congratulations from President Gerald Ford.

She will be remembered for her teaching of swimming, water exercise, and water safety, past AAU swimmers for her fantastic coaching, and Michigan Masters swimming for her record of accomplishments.

Excerpt from the 2008 UNITED STATES MASTERS SWIMMING CODE OF REGULATIONS AND RULES OF COMPETITION - Published by United States Masters Swimming Inc.