Why did you decide to come to Carleton?
The college choice was difficult for me, and I waited up until May 1rst to make my decision. I ended up choosing Carleton because it felt like a place a could call 'home.' I wanted academics and sports to play large roles in my life and Carleton was going to be able to allow me to focus on both areas. Also, Andy the head swim coach and Donna the head running coach seemed to me to be the best coaches I was in contact with out of all the places I was looking at, from DI schools to other DIII schools. The way the teams and coaches interacted while I was visiting really made me feel like the sense of community at Carleton was something unlike that of any other school.
What have been some of the differences between college and high school sports?
College athletics have allowed me to really become a 'student' of my sport. Things like technique, training methods, and race structure are emphasized much more by the coaches. The training is certainly difficult but I feel like it is much smarter and of significantly higher quality than high school. The bond created on my teams at Carleton is also incomparable to my various high school team dynamics. The team, along with the coaches, become a part of your college family. This lends itself to high energy meets with a tight knit network of people supporting you and cheering you on every step of the season.
What are you most looking forward to next season?
I am most looking forward to seeing how I react to a new training regime this season. I recently made a decision to focus my college athletics solely on swimming by choosing to not participate in cross country or track any longer. I am very excited to experience a full swimming season with my team and coaches. I am looking forward to the swim season as a chance to train at a level I have not been able to train at in the past and, with the guidance of my coaches and support from my team mates, reach new racing speeds. My favorite part of the season is the MIAC meet, when all of the training finally comes together in the form of fantastic races across the team.
What do you enjoy most about your sport?
I love the challenge that racing swimming presents. It is a sport all about pushing yourself to see how far you can go. The race is a dual against the clock, a battle against the other swimmers in the pool, a fight to keep pushing yourself, and the end result that can hinge on 0.01 seconds is determined by how well you have trained, how much time you put into perfecting technique, and your own level determination. I truly enjoy racing. There is no feeling quite as amazing as flying through the water pushing yourself to exceed your goals and then touching the wall knowing that you left everything you had in the pool.
How do you maintain a balance between sports and other activities at Carleton? What else are you involved in?
The key to balancing the numerous activities Carleton has to offer for me has been budgeting my time efficiently and effectively. In addition to swimming I ran cross country for 2 years and outdoor track for 1 year. I am the house manager of an interest house on campus and also participate in various club and organization activities such as Ebony. My campus job is being a lifeguard. There is plenty of time to take advantage of all of the different types of activities and events the campus has to offer even if you are involved in a varsity sport as long as you prioritize and make sure to utilize your free time.
What are some of your team's traditions?
The team has many fun traditions that help with things like team bonding but some of my favorite traditions are those that involve other teams. One, is the back and forth cheer we do with the St.Olaf swim team about living in the town of "Cows, Colleges, and Contentment." I also really like the presentation of the "cheese" that occurs at our dual meet against St. Thomas every year in which the host team finds a way to creatively present a block of cream cheese to the visiting team. The team also puts on the Hour of Power to help spread awareness and support the Ted Mullin Fund for Sarcoma Research. This tradition I think is especially important and participating in an event of its magnitude is truly a special experience.
What is your favorite thing about Carleton?
It is rather difficult to pick just one favorite thing about Carleton since I really do love being here but I think what I most love about Carleton is the community on campus. The atmosphere created by the students is fantastic and I could not picture myself being a part of any other college community. Carleton really is a place that I call my home and feel proud to do so.
