Simply (one of) the best: Jenn Cristy wins fame for songs and strokes

Jenn Cristy's upcoming concert isn't free, but her swim stroke is.

For 16 years, she held the Indiana University record for "50 free." That means swimming the freestyle stroke for 50 meters in less time than other competitors. In 2001, in fact, she set a new women’s Big Ten swimming record for the 50-yard freestyle. Her breast stroke, too, was impressive, breaking records for the 100- and 200-yard competitions.

A 50-free is usually a swim meet's shortest race and takes power, stroke-competence and speed.

The weekend of Oct. 14-15 will splash together Cristy's two worlds, as she celebrates being inducted into the Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame Oct. 14 and the next night, at Brown County Playhouse, sings 90 minutes of her Tina Turner tribute, "Simply the Best."

"It's gonna be a heck of a good time. Maybe, (as I get inducted for the swimming), I'll just sing out: 'I'm simply the Best,'" she said, a grin in her voice.

Cristy will perform Turner's hits including "Proud Mary," "River Deep, Mountain High," "What's Love Got to Do with It?" and "The Best."

Jenn Cristy studied music on swimming scholarship at IU

Having played piano since childhood, Cristy received a swimming scholarship and was accepted into the esteemed IU School of Music. (She was an IU student 1998-2001.) "I worked very hard as a kid to be a great pianist." Being first-rate at two such different things, however, requires decision making. Soon, she changed her major and kept heading for the pool.

IU alumni news:One of the original RedSteppers returns for dance team's 50th anniversary

But she kept singing, too, as singers do, and after hearing her sing the national anthem, John Mellencamp asked Cristy to tour with him.

"I was too young. So he waited and approached me a second time, when I was 21, during my senior year."

Touring with John Mellencamp

This time, she said yes and began her 18-month gig with Mellencamp. "I'd never even been to a concert — or inside a bar. Plays and classical concerts, yes, but not rock. I didn't expect this (touring opportunity) at all."

So she graduated and toured with Mellencamp, leaving the tour for the birth of her child, who is now an artist in Chicago.

About a year ago, Cristy, still singing and playing, returned to swimming, joining the YMCA, where she swims several days per week.

John Mellencamp tour dates:John Mellencamp to play 8 Indiana shows, reissue 'Scarecrow'

"All I think about when I'm swimming is swimming. I used to be a sprinter, but now I do about 3,500 yards (per swim).

In addition, Cristy co-founded 1Pulse Entertainment and manages the company's artistic's side. Regardless of swimming, singing and web designing, she recently spent the weekend decorating her husband's new office and the accompanying library.

Where does this buoyancy come from?

"I will compete at ANYTHING. I don't like failure. I always want to be better. I don't put a cap on anything."

Well, except her head, at the Y.

Jenn Cristy at Brown County Playhouse

WHAT: " "Simply the Best: A Tribute to Tina Turner"  — women's swimming hall of fame-er and musician Jenn Cristy sings (and plays) Tina Turner

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15

WHERE: Brown County Playhouse (1Pulse Entertainment), 70 S. Van Buren St., Nashville

TICKETS: $32.50 at https://bit.ly/3V01Mlg

MORE: Jenn Cristy also is performing Oct. 13, 20 and Nov. 3 in the Jenn & Eric (Brown) Simply Acoustic, Simply Amazing performances that begin at 7:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Jenn Cristy performs Tina Turner tribute, receives swim honor on same day