September -
October 1997
Vol. 8, No. 5

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 world—and 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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