FOREST LAKE, Minn. — For the True family, home is in the water.
“Our whole life we’ve spent in water. We met at a lake, we love water,” said Ann True.
The True’s made sure their three children, Max, Grace and Jack, would feel the same way.
“As babies, we put them in swim classes right away. And they all took to water like fish," said Ann.
Not just any fish, but fast fish. Max and Grace both qualified for state, so it was only normal for Jack, the youngest, to feel apprehensive about living up to the lofty standards set by his oldest siblings.
“For Jack, watching his brother and his sister was intimidating… he would go see them at sections, saw them at state meets and that was intimidating for him, he thought, well maybe I’ll be a manager," said Ann.
Forest Lake head swimming coach Dominick Mancini wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Basically every day, once I became a coach, just telling him, 'You’re going to swim on the team, Jack. You’re going to swim on the team.' Started off as, 'No, no way, not happening, Mancini.' Never going to happen to maybe, to I’ll swim the 50-free," said Forest Lake head swim coach Dominick Mancini.
Persistence paid off, and Jack joined the Rangers swim team in 2021 as a seventh grader.
“He’s so funny… and a little bit annoying," said Forest Lake freshman swimmer Jack True.
Persistence is nothing new to Jack True. Surgeries and adversity have been a staple in his life since day one.
“He’s had about 16 surgeries. Majority were brain surgeries," said Ann.
“I had a stroke, that’s what my neurosurgeon thinks when I was a month old. And that just effected the whole right side. He thought I wouldn’t be able to talk, walk, do any of this stuff," said Jack.
Jack has hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy. The entire right side of his body is limited in movement.
“When Jack was born, and he had all these medical complications, there were always these unknowns, will he be able to walk? Will he be able to talk? Will he be able to use his hand? Will he be able to do anything? And he is. And he shouldn’t be able to," said Ann.
Jack is a walking, talking and swimming miracle. Competing alongside his teammates on the Rangers swim team, thanks to a coach who saw an open lane where many see a closed door.
“Coach Mancini is amazing. To recognize how Jack could be an integral part of a team is emotional. Any kid in Jack’s situation needs that opportunity, and coach Mancini saw that. Saw the value that he could bring to the team. It’s easy to see the kid who’s fastest on the team, to find that value, and coach Mancini found that value in Jack," said Ann.
“I’ve just never been somebody who sees that part of him," said Mancini.
“To be different than the rest of your peers, but still go out and do it, says a lot about him and his grit," said Ann.
In a sport where speed meets grace, and elegance leads to endurance, Jack’s courage inspires with every breath and every stroke.
Jack’s race reminds us success isn’t measured in podium finishes or new PR’s, but in the ripple effect you have on others along the way.
“I remember for the first year he was here, almost a minute-and-a-half to do two laps in the pool, and he’s down to 47 seconds," said Mancini. "As much as we as coaches get, I think a kid like Jack gives us more back, you know? Showing how strong he is and how willing he is to work.”
Hard work and courage, another True finding home in the water.
“Just so proud. So proud,” said Ann.
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