2026 graduate restarts program canceled in his senior year

Colin Ledbetter, 18, missed his senior season on the Sedona Red Rock High School swim team when the 2025 season was canceled for lack of a head coach, so he’s back in the pool deck running the restarted program himself.

“There’s definitely a legacy within Sedona for being such a small town,” Ledbetter said. “There’s been a lot of very competitive, very collegiate swimmers. So I just want to kind of continue that and continue that reputation. I’m pretty fortunate with the talent I already have to continue that. So pretty much just continue the reputation and the name for how small of a town it is.”

Ledbetter said that after doing some international travel, he will commence leading the program in the second week of September, with West Sedona School teacher Aubrey Lewis leading practices in the interim.

“I’m going to Sweden to see family,” Ledbetter said. “My grandma, my farmor [paternal grandmother], is Swedish, and so just her side of the family. There’s a lot of family over there, and then family friends. I went there last year and made plans back in February to go. It’s mainly two places, Örebro and Hallsberg … [which] is a really small train town in the middle of Sweden.”

Although more flights are in Ledbetter’s future, because he started pilot training at Guidance Aviation in Prescott.

“I’m pretty excited,” Ledbetter said about the swim team. “There’s a lot of good talent, like Amira [McCullough] and there’s Holly Swaninger and Kaylee McLean. That’s the three main talent I look forward to probably the most is teaching. Amira is a state champion. She’s good. She’s incredibly good. So I’m pretty excited to take on that role. I wouldn’t say I’m too nervous. I have some previous experience coaching the Swordfish [Swim Team], and I’m going to have a lot of help. Probably my biggest help is going to be from Lauren [Robinson], who was the previous swim coach and coached me, mentored me when I first started.”

Ledbetter added that he hopes to inspire the Scorpions as his predecessors did and that making a competitive relay team with McLean, Swaninger and McCullough is one of his major goals.

“McCullough is going to be your star … she’s a state champion,” Ledbetter said. “Her older sister Sarina McCullough swam a few years ago too, and holds records at the school. So it’s a bit of a legacy. I’m sure Amira will break those coming in. Holly Swaninger is a great swimmer. She’s a good sprinter. And then Kaylee McLean, for her age and her size, is an extremely good swimmer in breaststroke.”

“I had the pleasure of coaching Colin as both a high school swimmer and a member of the Race Pace Club swim team,” former Scorpion Head Coach Jody Thornton wrote. “He has always had a natural feel for the water that translates into excellent stroke mechanics, along with a gift for communicating with swimmers and helping them develop their own feel and confidence in the water.”

“One of the greatest rewards of coaching is seeing former athletes step into leadership roles and give back to the community by continuing the tradition of strong swim programs. Colin is a wonderful example of that,” Thornton wrote.

“The same is true of Lucy Spielman, who has stepped into a coaching role with the Sedona Swordfish. I first worked with Lucy as an athlete and later as an employee at my swim school,” Thornton continued. “It’s been especially rewarding to watch her grow into a capable leader, not only with the Swordfish but also in her work with the city of Sedona.”

Ledbetter said that the team will need timekeepers and people to help setup and teardown during the season’s meets, and the time commitment is under three hours.

Those interested in volunteering with Scorpion swim may contact Ledbetter — preferably by email since he is currently out of the country — at ColinLedbetter70@gmail.com or 951-836-8009.

Upcoming Swim Meets

All of Sedona Red Rock High School’s swim meets start at 4 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 15: Northland Prep, Winslow and Flagstaff high schools, at Flagstaff High School

Thursday, Sept. 10: Payson and Mingus Union high schools at the Cottonwood Recreation Center’s outdoor pool

Thursday, Sept. 17: Phoenix Christian and Scottsdale Christian high schools at the Sedona Community Pool

Thursday, Sept. 24: at Wickenburg High School at Coffinger Park pool