Being the oldest members on Bakersfield College’s men’s swim team allows John Gregory, 38, and Mac Robertson, 35, to have experience and knowledge on their side. Despite their ages, both had words about how they keep their paces with the team this season.
“It’s not keeping up with them because I keep up with those kids no problem,” Gregory said. “It’s probably just the time to put in.”
“It started out pretty rough, but now I’m doing OK,” said Robertson.
Both told their reasons for returning to BC after Gregory’s 15 years and Robertson’s 17 years away from BC.
“The economy is so bad, I had some time, because I’m self-employed, to finish school and I only had a couple left to take so I decided to finish up and get my AA,” said Gregory.
“I did it because I wanted to. I had the time and availability,” added Robertson.
Gregory is a former member of the BC swim team in the 1990s and has run his own business for 11 years, a patio construction company named AAA Awning & Repair. According to Gregory, he was introduced to the idea of construction from BC’s pipe fitters union.
Gregory talked about how he got involved with the BC swimming program. “I was swimming anyway there [at the BC swimming pool] at night and that’s how I met Charlie [Pike]. I told him, ‘If I can get my classes and everything, I’ll get on the team.’ He was down with that.”
The rest of the BC swimmers don’t treat Gregory or Robertson any different than other teammates.
Gregory said, “Hanging out with all the kids . they treat me like I’m just one of them.”
When asked what the biggest difference between when Gregory swam at BC 15 years ago and now, Gregory responded, “The way that they teach how to stroke is different when I swam. Other than that, there is not a whole lot, just a lot of hard work.”
Gregory added that his wife Elaine supports his decision to return to BC to swim.
?”Luckily I have an understanding wife who has a good job,” he said with a laugh.
Gregory said that he has no superstitions before swimming in a race, but admitted that he needs a way to get ready.
“No, I don’t have any rituals – just try to make sure I get a good warm-up in, because now that I’m older, it takes longer to get warmed up.”
Gregory’s advice for anyone around his age attempting to do what he is doing now was, “Be ready for some pain.”
Gregory’s events are backstrokes and freestyle races.
Robertson’s advice was, “If someone wants to get back into it, I would say, ‘don’t give up on it.’ As a coach, I would say ‘You guys don’t know how good you have it, if I could trade places with you, I would do it any day, because I like to compete.’ If anybody is that driven and really wants to do it, go for it. At the junior college level, it’s almost never too late.”
Robertson is a former Ridgeview High School swimming coach for 12 years until he stopped coaching to swim at BC this semester. Robertson is also a substitute teacher.
Robertson talked about his schedule.
“It’s pretty hectic, but I have it set up where at the schools I sub at, I only accept jobs that work around [my] swimming. I sub kindergarten through third grade.”
Robertson added, “Most of my days [are rough], especially Monday through Wednesday, it usually starts at 5:30 in the morning and I don’t get home until 8 or 9 at night.”
However, Robertson is glad to be back at BC. Robertson graduated high school in 1993, the same year the BC swim team was cut.
“I always liked going to BC when I was going there before. I think the teachers are great. Junior college has gotten a bad rap, but the teachers at junior colleges are more personable and really great to deal with.”
Robertson added about his classes, “I’m taking Calculus I as a refresher course and I’m taking Intro to World History and a couple P.E. classes.”
Robertson said about his family support, “My family here in town, they support me pretty well. My dad and my grandparents will come to my meets. [My] nieces and nephews [will come, too].”
When asked about the Western State Conference swimming championships, April 22-24, Robertson replied, “I’m looking forward to it. This is really new for me . I know my times will come down pretty well. I just hope to do well to represent the team in a good way.”
Robertson has raced in the 200-yard individual medley and has competed in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Robertson’s plans are to continue to teach at more levels of education.
“After this semester, I’m going to continue in a teaching credential program somewhere and work on getting both multiple and single teaching credentials so I can teach any grade K-12.”
Robertson added that he does already have a degree in mathematics from a local institution.
“I’m just returning to teaching. I already do have a degree from CSUB. I graduated in 2004.”
Robertson reaffirmed his feelings about swimming at BC, as he said, “It feels pretty good, I’ve enjoyed myself.”