WFISD swim coach becomes U.S. citizen

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - Memorial High School Head Swim Coach Øyvind Zahl has been a resident of the United States for over 37 years, and last week he finally became a U.S. citizen.

Zahl was born in Norway before coming to Texas as a foreign exchange student in the 1980s and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science from Texas Tech University.

Last week, Zahl traveled to Dallas to take the U.S. citizenship test, and passed.

Zahl said his experience as a green card holder shaped his perspective on wanting to become an American citizen.

"One thing they tell you when you talk to foreigners is that you don't talk about religion and politics. I kind of stayed out because I wasn't a citizen, I could have an opinion but I didn't have a voice. Now that I'm a citizen, I do have that opportunity to vote. My swearing-in was two days after the last day to register to vote but I'm still happy I got my citizenship," Zahl said.

Zahl also said becoming a U.S. citizen impacts him personally.

"It means a lot. I'm a part of it. I've always felt like an outsider. Now I can say I'm a fellow American and that's big," Zahl said.

His path to citizenship wasn't without its own set of obstacles, however. His home country didn't allow dual citizenship until recently.

"My biggest concern was to give up my Norwegian citizenship. Norway or most Scandinavian countries didn't accept dual citizenship until 2020. So in 2020 when I finally started thinking about how I had my green card, [I thought] maybe I should go start thinking about getting my citizenship," Zahl said.

Last weekend during the swim team's meet at Northwest High School, Zahl said "The Star Bangled Banner" was played like it always is. But, this time Zahl felt different.

"Before they played the national anthem, they announced 'Congratulations to Coach Zahl for getting his citizenship' and then they played the national anthem," Zahl said. "It hit a little bit different when they did that. I got a little bit choked up at that time."