Matthew Badger is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to Cortez High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX – In an individual sport, it is important to have someone who will always be on your side. That’s certainly the case for brothers Hyrum and Timothy Pulver, who swim for Cortez.

“It’s a very, very amazing bond to see that they’re so close,” coach Jasmin Ojeda said.

The two have participated on the same club team for five years, but this is their first high school season participating together.

“It’s definitely different with him,” Hyrum said. “Throughout my other three years I’ve done it by myself.”

With Hyrum being a senior and Timothy a freshman, it will also be their last season together.

“I’m sad that he’s leaving because we’re very close,” Timothy said.

The Pulvers are two of the better swimmers on the team and feature in the same 200 freestyle relay, one that’s posted state-qualifying scores in each of the team’s last two meets. 

“Being on the same relay team, we have the same goal,” Hyrum said. “It makes us connect more as brothers.”

Ojeda said she’s "definitely" excited to see them perform so well together.

“It’s awesome to see because they drive each other to be better,” she said.

“They’re supporting their teammates, and showing that leadership.”

The leadership stems from the brothers’ participation in the school’s Navy JROTC program.

“It’s not just a military process,” Hyrum said. “It gives you way more than just military training, it gives you life skills.

“It really helps you get ready for leadership, responsibility and commitment,” he continued. “It gets you physically and mentally engaged, and trains you to be a better person and member of society.”

The program has also given him experience as a teaching assistant for one of its classes.

“It takes a lot of responsibility because you get put in charge often,” he said. “It’s helped me learn how to raise my voice, help others, and work with different people.”

Hyrum plans to apply for the U.S. Naval Academy after graduating, where he hopes to study nuclear engineering.

“As of now, that’s what I want to do,” he said. “So JROTC will help me if I become the leader of a nuclear plant or energy system.”

Timothy, still in his first year with the JROTC program, is already learning those lessons from Hyrum.

“My brother teaches me to be a leader and to be a better person,” he said.

 Ojeda has also seen these traits exhibited in the pool.

“They’ve grown and become more outspoken,” she said. “They’re able to help us as coaches, especially during warmups or getting wrapped up with a certain activity.”

The Pulver brothers feel club swim has helped prepare them for the school season. Their club team, Arizona Swimming Gauchos, allows them to practice year round during the school’s offseason.

“It trains you for much more difficult tasks because the times are a lot harder to reach,” Hyrum said.

“[The club team] works more on getting faster, and this team is more about technique,” Timothy said. 

The difference in training styles has also helped the brothers connect more with their teammates.

“They’ll notice the body technique and positions of other swimmers,” Ojeda said. “And when they’ll offer advice to each other, most of the time the other swimmers will listen in to see if they can benefit from that advice.”

Still, they drive each other the most. 

“I can push him more than I do other people, because he’s my brother,” Hyrum said. “We keep challenging each other which makes us both better.

“There are moments where they butt heads with each other, or it becomes a little competitive in practice,” Ojeda said. 

Their difference in age has played a key role in their relationship. 

“My brother gives me more of a challenge, because there’s no one really on my level,” Hyrum said.

“It’s nice to have my brother with me,” Timothy said. “Freshman year is intimidating, so it’s nice to have an older brother to help you.”

“Despite that age difference, they are huge motivators to everyone on the team,” Ojeda said. “It shows that regardless of where you’re at in life, we’re here together, and we’re gonna do the best we can with the best ability that we can.”