Collegiate Times

Charlie Higgins practices at Christiansburg Aquatic Center on Jan 24, 2011.

Charlie and Caroline Higgins would best be described as “pool rats,” according to their parents John and Sally Higgins.

Both Charlie and Caroline began swimming at a very young age near the family’s home right outside of Charlotte, N.C.

“They started (swimming) when they were five for summer league, and they started club swim when they were about seven,” John said.

Now both Charlie and Caroline are instrumental forces on the H20kies, excelling at backstroke in varying distances.

Charlie, a junior consumer studies and resource management major, has been one of the most reliable swimmers for the men’s team throughout his first two seasons, according to Ned Skinner, the team’s head coach.

“He’s a kind person; he’s a good person with a good heart,” Skinner said. “He’s just incredibly coachable and I think he’s a good example to his teammates about how nice guys finish first. Not to mention that he’s the best backstroker in the history of our team, having school records in the 100(-yard) and 200(-yard) back and 50(-yard) back for that matter. So he’s a key guy in our relays as well.”

Charlie has represented the H20kies at the NCAA Championships the last two seasons. Last year, he finished 23rd at the NCAAs in the 200-yard backstroke and 25th in the 100-yard backstroke, while also setting the school record.

He chose Tech over the University of North Carolina when coming out of high school, mainly because of the coaching staff.

“It came down between Tech and UNC,” Charlie said. “I love the coaches and the team, and it’s a great school so I just felt more at home here than anywhere else.”

Even though Charlie started his career so successfully, Skinner still believes he has room for improvement.

“Charlie is swimming currently better than he ever has before,” Skinner said. “He’s training at a completely new level. He’s really worked at his strength and power. In college, becoming stronger in the weight room translates directly to being a better swimmer. He’s already an incredible kicker — he’s probably the best underwater kicker I’ve ever seen. He’s gotten very strong in his upper body so, yes, we firmly believe that over the next two years he is going to get better.”

Caroline, a freshman psychology major, credits Charlie’s success and growth with the coaching staff as one of the main reason she decided to attend Tech.

“I loved growing up with my brothers,” Caroline said. “They definitely influenced me, especially Charlie. I feel like I’m a lot like him, so when he came to Tech I figured I might as well try it out too. He took off his freshman year. And I thought that there was a great opportunity for me here.”

Even though Caroline is just a freshman, Skinner is already impressed by the contributions she has made to the team this season.

“Caroline has natural sprint abilities in backstroke — just like her brother,” Skinner said. “They’re very similar in that way that she has a natural feel for backstroke. We see her as one of our top 50(-yard) and 100(-yard) backstrokers. We see her 200(-yard) backstroke is really going to develop, and she gets a little more strength and power and she can sustain her endurance a little bit longer. So backstroke is really her weapon.”

Skinner believes that with her positive attitude she will be able to succeed at the college level.

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A version of this article appeared in the Jan 25 issue of the Collegiate Times.