As a year-round swimmer, it is important for me to set achievable goals for myself. My academic goals at the collegiate level include majoring in biology. When I was younger, I was always fascinated with science, because of how it interacts within the world. Making the honor roll in school and maintaining a high GPA has always been a priority. Living in a small town in Northern Wisconsin means limited options for quality coaching and training opportunities. Making a nearly forty minute daily drive to swim practice has put me in a place where I have coaches who recognized my talent and commitment to swimming. I know it will take this commitment to training in order to achieve my goal of earning a swimming scholarship at a D1 four year university. Staying motivated in and out of the pool is a key component in my training. I love the thrill of a good race. I am not afraid to step up putting my motivation, training, and talent to the test racing my best freestyle. Not being afraid gives me the mindset to stay positive and know I am ready, the moment I step behind the blocks, to achieve a goal all swimmers share, getting their hand on the wall first. I am a goal driven and competitive individual, which allows me to show my strengths in a variety of ways. I can bring in some humor to any situation, lead by example, be compassionate and motivating to my peers, all while balancing it with working hard and staying focused. Being a sprinter, I am a huge asset in relays, usually anchoring any relay. My coaches have placed high expectations on me to go fast. I like working under pressure, because it motivates me to trust my training and to believe in myself. When I’m racing, I’m not just looking to improve my time, but to prove to myself that I am never afraid of a race. I am looking forward to continuing my swimming career at the collegiate level where I can grow as a student athlete both in and out of the pool