SWAIN FLIES HIGH ... On and off the Court!
by SSgt Gayle A. Ornong
Members of Team Cannon helped one of the world's greatest athletes
reach new heights to achieve a life-long dream at 18,000 feet
above sea level, to be exact.
Cliff Swain, a four time world champion on the International
Racquetball Tour, visited Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., April 15
through 20 to take on the Department of Defense's top player, Cannon's
own A1C Rob DeJesus, in friendly competition.
Prior to the duo's exhibition matches and clinic, Swain took to the
air in an F-16 jet piloted by Capt. Dan Gernert of the 522nd Fighter
Squadron.
"To fly in a fighter is a dream I've had ever since I was a
child. I thought it was going to stay a dream, "Swain said. "It
was the most unbelievable thing I've ever done in my life and
I've done a lot of things. It was an experience I will never, ever
forget."
Currently number two on the IRT behind Sudsy Monchik, Swain noted
that taking a backseat to another player in a sport which his
own name is synonymous with isn't pleasant. "He's
[Monchik] hungry, and I got spoiled," Swain said, noting that
life's distractions got the better of him last year. "But that's
not an excuse not to play well. Number two is not a position I'm
comfortable with and I don't plan to stay there."
He didn't take a backseat to DeJesus, and EF-111A crew chief with
the 429th Electronic Combat Squadron, during the exhibition matches
April 19. Swain won all four games 11-1, 11-1, 11-2 and 11-8, dealing
graciously with a crowd that was obviously rooting for the Air Force
player.
After the crowd roared for DeJesus's first scored point, Swain
slammed a shot into the corner, poked his head through the door of the
court and laughed, "Take that you guys!"
Following the games, Swain, who makes his living playing
racquetball, and DeJesus, who plans to hone his skills at college and
then turn professional, talked with clinic participants and passed
along tips to help others play the very offensive game better.
"Playing about a million matches helps," Swain laughed. "But
anticipation is a big part of it and knowing the other player's game."
Although the world class athletes get much of their practice from
the non-stop tournaments they attend, they recommend the casual
players always try and improve, practicing intensely but briefly.
"Maybe an hour a day real hard," Swain said. "The key
for me is to make every match mean more than anything else in the
worldand at the same time, remember it's still just a game."
Special thanks to author, Ssgt Gayle Ornong, 27th Fighter Wing
Public Affairs, and photographer, A1C Christopher Gish, 27th
Communications Squadron Photo Lab.
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