Kaiya Kolberg '21 Recruiting Profile

I have been swimming competitively for the Belvidere YMCA Barracudas since I was 7 yrs old. I have also swam for the Flinn Middle School swim team and am currently a member of the Guilford High School Varsity swim team and am the Senior Captain.  In both my club and high school team I have filled the the distance slot.  I enjoy these events and feel that is where my strength is,  distance.

The best part of swimming is being part of the team. Cheering on your teammates and knowing your teammates are there to support you is what I enjoy the most. I also enjoy the leadership experience that comes with helping younger less experienced swimmers. The sport of swimming is unique because you are competing against your teammates, but at the same time cheering them on.   

I have always considered swimming in college,  but never knew of it could be a realistic goal for me. I plan on majoring in Athletic Training or Exercise Science and minoring in Nutrition and/or Coaching.  I hope to have a career as an Athletic Trainer for a professional sport or college team.  As I get older,  I see other swimmers I have known throughout my years of swimming committing to swim in college and realize I would also like to see how far I can go in the sport.   

In addition to competitively swimming,  I am also interested in one day coaching a youth team and participating in a Master's Program.  I was recently voted the female YMCA State Athlete Representative for the 2019-2020 season.  I have been participating in meetings with the Illinois YMCA State Board offering feedback from an athlete participant's perspective and helping create/modify rules and regulations for Illinois YMCA Swimming.