How many years have you been swimming?

“I started swimming 12 years ago, but competitively, I started swimming about eight years ago.”

Is this your first time going to State?

“No, this is my fourth time. I was an alternate my freshman year, so I didn’t swim. So I can’t say that I’m a four-time state qualifier, but I can say I’m a three-time state qualifier.”

How did you do at Region?

“I really surprised myself. I was not expecting to go the times that I did. So I swam the 200 medley relay, the 200 IM,  100 fly and then the 400 free relay. So that was what I swam at prelims and then finals. Coach switched me out of the 400 free relay. So I just swam those three events – the 200 medley relay, 200 IM and the 100 fly.”

How did you do in those events?

“I dropped over 10 seconds in two days in the 200 IM, which is practically unheard of for a senior in high school. Normally you lose like maybe two or three seconds per meet; but losing 10 seconds, I really didn’t know what was happening. I was so surprised with myself and even Coach was like, ‘That’s crazy.’ I was like, ‘I don’t know what happened.’ So I had gotten first place prelims and then I had solidified my first place at finals. Then I got fourth place in the 100 fly, and then we got second place in the 200 medley relay.”

Can you describe your experience at region?

“This is the most fun I had in all four years. I think it’s just the group that I went with and then the people that I knew there because I like making friends on other teams, which is it’s really random, but I do. So whenever I see them, I’m like, my gosh, you guys did so good. And then they’ll tell me the same thing. But this year I had so much fun and it was just the energy was completely different from any other year. I think it’s because this is my last year, you know, I have to make it fun. I have to make it count. So I think that was like my mindset going into it.” 

What were your expectations for region?

“I set myself pretty low, I’m not going to lie. I just wanted to get it over with. That was me going into it. It’s my senior year. I just want to get it over with because swimming for 12 years, it’s a lot. It’s almost too much. And I was really feeling it my junior year. I just wanted to quit so bad. But I found my passion for it again after I switched club teams. And I think that was really helpful for me because I had never gone these times, and I never thought I would go these times when I was still on my previous club team.”

What was your initial reaction when you find out you’re going to state?

“So let me recount my two IM cause I finished and I was going crazy in the water. I was smacking the water, I was yelling, I was screaming because when you get number one or two, that means you’re automatically going to state. So getting first was insane because I was only expecting to go second place. In my head. I was just like, ‘you can slow down, you don’t have to go that fast,  just get your second place.’ But I don’t know, my friend’s mom, she’s like, ‘you have to swim hungry. You have to swim desperately.’ And that’s what I did I think. So I swam desperate. And then I got to the pool and I was just crying. I was on my knees. I was crying so hard because I was like, This is the first event I’ve ever gone that I’ve made state individually. Normally I’m on relays and not swimming individually, but this was the first time and I just proved to myself that I can do it and I’m capable of doing it, and I did it.”

How are you preparing for state? 

“I’m not happy about it, but I have to eat healthy. Normally, I love stuffing my face with pizza and stuff, but I can’t. So for these next two weeks, I have to eat healthy, and then I have to stay off my feet a lot, and I have to rest. And that’s how I’m preparing. I’m not happy about it, but I have to do it.”

When is state? Where?

“23rd and 24th, we leave on Thursday. So next Thursday we leave. It’s the UT pool in Austin. It’s like the Joe and Jamail Swim Center, something like that.”

This being your final year, what does going to State mean for you?

“It means so much. Really. This is like I said, it’s my first year going in an individual event, which last year I was just about like 2/10 of a second off of going in an individual. And I was so frustrated and I was so angry. So when I came back this year, I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it and I just wanted to shove it in people’s faces like, ‘yeah, I made it in an individual event.’ But I just wanted to show that I’m capable of doing it. And especially to coach because I didn’t have a lot of faith in myself. But I know he did in me. And I just wanted to make him proud. This is my final year. This is the last year I have with coach Dissinger. So I just wanted to show that I can make him make proud.”

What is your favorite memory from this season?

“I have so many. Probably when I got out of the water for the two IM at region finals. I looked to the side of the pool and I saw all my teammates just going crazy. They’re throwing their hands up, they’re screaming, they’re crying. And then I walked around and they just all hugged me and I was crying so hard I couldn’t move my legs. I was shaking. I was just like, ‘guys, I love you, I love you so much.’ And they’re like, ‘you did so good, you did so good. you’re going to state. you’re going to state.’ And I was like, ‘thanks guys.’”

What has been the hardest part leading up to state?

“Dealing with swimming mentally. Swimming is such a mental and physical sport because you’re always in your head. You’re always, ‘what can I do to get better?’ You’re mostly tearing yourself down and then rebuilding yourself back up again. Because if you have a really, really bad race, it just makes you want to quit. It makes you want to throw in the towel. It makes you want to just absolutely end swimming. I’ve had so many swims where I’ve just been so tired and so done with it. That I just end up crying in my towel and my head is down. That’s the hardest part leading up to this is just wanting to stop swimming because it’s miserable but is also the best thing ever.”

Was there anything else you like to add?

“I’m really proud of this team. I think this is the closest that we’ve ever been. I think we have a great chance of bannering again like we did last year. And like, our slogan is continuing the legacy. And that’s all I want this team to do, is continue being the best that we possibly can be.”

How many years have you been swimming? 

“Seven years.”

Is this your first time going to State? 

“Yes, it is. I’m really excited.”

How did you do at Region and what did you compete in? 

“I competed in the 200 freestyle. I placed, I think 14 and I was in the B finals. And then I also swam 100 breaststroke in the finals and I placed fifth. And then during prelims, I did the medley relay and we got second.” 

Can you describe your experience at Region? 

“I would describe it as well. I was conflicted because it was the last time I’d be swimming 200 free and a hundred breaststroke. So I was sad and I did cry, but it was really exhilarating. It was fun. I got to cheer on my teammates. That was fun. And I got to swim a 100 breaststroke one last time with one of my teammates, Cece. I really enjoyed doing breaststroke with her training and swimming.”

What were your expectations for Region?

“I was expecting to do a little better than I did. I did get a personal record, but I was expecting to place better.”

What was your initial reaction when you found out you’re going to State? 

“I was really excited.” 

How are you prepping for State?

“We’re just doing our regular thing. Keep going to practice every day and getting good sleep.”

What are your expectations for State? 

“I expect that we’ll do really well. We have really good relays. And then also, Coach read off like a, we have something called like a ‘seed chart,’ where basically it’ll tell you what you’re expected to place. And it sounds like a lot of our girls are going to place really well. So I expect it to be pretty good.”

This being your final year, what does going to State mean for you? 

“It means a lot to me because I have never been and, you know, a lot of the girls that have been and like to talk about it and stuff. And it just really seems like quite the experience. And I’m excited to go to make memories and also be with my team and it’ll be my final meet.” 

What is your favorite memory from this past season? 

“My favorite memory was when we went against Fulshear. I was trying to qualify for a really important meet, and everybody on the team knew that. So I was swimming the 100 breaststroke but by myself. Nobody else was in the water, and my entire team was around the pool cheering me on. And it just felt so surreal. Like it was just, I don’t know, it was exhilarating. It left a smile on my face. I didn’t get the time that I wanted. I was off by 0.15, but instead of being upset about it like I normally would have been, I was really happy because it was a personal record I had. It wasn’t the time I wanted, but just the way everybody was to me, like I couldn’t be upset about it, you know?”

What was the hardest part leading up to State? 

“I would say to go last or my ongoing tendinitis in my knee. Doing breaststroke,  breaststrokers tend to get knee problems. So it’s been on and off and it really just threw off some of my races.”

So how many years have you been swimming?

“I’ve been swimming since I was 4 years old. “

Is this your first time going to State?

“I went to State last year as an alternate.”

How did you do at State last year?

“I was an alternate, so I didn’t swim, but still got the experience. “

How did you do at region and what did you compete in?

“I did pretty well at region. I got sixth and seventh in my events and I swam the 2IM and hundred back.”

Can you describe your experience at region with your team?

“So it was, it was a great experience. We were really happy when we won. Everyone just started cheering. I feel like during each race we all cheered each other on and like, even when we had, like, not so good swims, we were really supportive of each other. It was really fun.”

So what were your expectations going into region? 

“Going into region, I was expected to do pretty well. Like I feel like I did what was expected of me. And like, I feel like we kind of went into it pretty confident and we thought we were going to be like, first or second, So we’re really happy that we pulled out a win.”

So how did you feel whenever y’all found out you were going to State? 

“We were really excited.”

So how are you all prepping for State? 

“So we do like yesterday we kind of didn’t like we just kind of swam out, you know, recover from the meet. Today and tomorrow, we’re kind of like going back at it a little harder. And then Friday we’re just going to, like, start cutting it back and swimming easy to rest up for state. “

So what are your expectations for going into state? 

“I’m hoping that we can get a banner which is the top five teams at state, and we changed some of our relays around so they’re like, as fast as they can be because relays get the most points.”

How do you think this is going to affect you going forward in high school in swimming? 

“I think it’s just a great experience because you get to experience that like higher level, like that higher level and just being there around like other people who care so much about swimming. I feel like it just like gets you in a better mindset and it’s really encouraging.”

What’s been your favorite part of the season so far? 

“Probably winning region to be honest. And my favorite part is probably going to end up being state, but that hasn’t happened yet.”

What has been the hardest part? 

“Waking up at 6 a.m. every morning. And then if you do club, you have to do double practices. That’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it. “

How long have you been swimming?

“I’ve really been swimming my whole life. I joined summer league when I was 7 and then K-Park for like three years.” 

Is this your first time going to State?

“This is my third time going to State.”

How did you do at Region?

“I actually did a lot better than I expected to. I PR’d (personal record) in the 50 free, and I got as close as I’ve gotten up to my PR in breaststroke all season so that’s good.”

What did you compete in?

“I competed in the 200 medley relay, and the 50 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay and 100 breaststroke.”

Can you describe your experience at Region?

“Honestly, it was a lot of fun. I was expecting it to go a lot worse than it did. I always feel like I  have a negative attitude during Region because it’s getting harder and there’s more competition, but I think we all just had a lot of fun watching everybody win. It was fun for the team to do so good too.”

What were your expectations for Region prelims?

“My only real goal was to make A final and there wasn’t that much competition in the events that I was swimming, so it wasn’t as hard as it had been the previous year.”

How about the Region finals?

“Day two, I really just wanted to do like the best I could do – try to place to get the team points. I think I succeeded in that as well as I could have.”

What was your initial reaction when you find out you’re going to State?

“I was very excited because it was a lot of fun going last year and going my freshman year as an alternate. I sort of know the drill so I’m not as scared as I was the previous years. And it’s a lot of fun because there’s so many girls going. That makes it so much fun.”

Are you doing anything to prep for state?

“We’re not swimming as much. Making sure I’m getting more sleep than I usually do definitely and eating better.”

What is your favorite memory from this past season?

“I think one of my favorite memories from this season at least so far, was definitely watching the for the 400 free relay because that was the one relay that I wasn’t swimming so I got to stand on the side and cheer and it was so amazing because they were so far ahead. It was just great to watch.”

What has been the hardest part leading up to State?

“Definitely my mindset especially during breaststroke because my back was sort of starting to hurt, like leading up to Region and I wasn’t sure if it would continue to hurt during Region or if it was like going to prevent me from swimming breaststroke, or at least like slow me down. So I haven’t improved as much as I was hoping this season. It was a little bit hard, but I think I had a more positive mindset when I was actually at Region, so that definitely helped me do better.”

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“I’m just excited for State.”

How many years have you been swimming?

“Like six or seven years.”

Is this your first time going to state 

“I went last year.”

How did you do at region 

“I did pretty well. I would say. I got first in the 50 and the 100 free. Those are my individual events.”

Can you describe what your experience 

“I felt like everyone in the team was actually close and it was like such a fun experience. We all were cheering everybody on and it was very fun.”

What were your expectations going into Region? 

“I was hoping to hopefully break a school record which I did. And that was all I was going for really.”

What was your initial reaction when you found out that you were going to State? 

“I was so excited for our State team. I was just very excited to go with them.”

And how are you prepping for State? 

“Going to bed early, trying to plan stuff with the team to have fun things to do before going to State. And talking to coaches about what we’re going to do all weekend.”

What are your expectations going to State

“I am really, really wanting to get top three at state in one of my individual events, and I’m really, really hoping our relays make it back to finals.”

What is your favorite memory from this past season?

“Honestly, I think my favorite memory is Region. I feel like the energy was just so good there. It was very fun with the whole team.”

How long have you been swimming?

“Competitively like seven years, but I’ve swam since I was like 6 or something.”

Is this your first time going to State?

“I went to State last year.”

What did you compete in?

“Last year, I swam the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle.”

Can you describe your experience at Region?

“Although I did not swim, I had a lot of fun cheering on my teammates. I was very proud of them all. It was just a great experience overall seeing them swim.” 

What was your initial reaction when you find out you’re going to State?

“I was very excited for everybody. It’s always a great opportunity to go to a place like that. It’s very different for a lot of people. And honestly like, going as yourself , going as a team like it’s just it’s very rewarding for all the hard work you put in.”

What do you expect from the team at State?

“I expect fast swims. I expect just a lot of overall positivity. inclusivity, just in general.”

What is your favorite memory from this past season?

“I have a lot of favorite memories. But I mean from when I was swimming my favorite memory was just like, in general, getting out of practice every day and having the music playing in the locker room. It’s just really fun.”

What has been the hardest part leading up to State?

“Not swimming with them. I miss it so much. It’s definitely hard and it’s definitely hard to watch everybody swim and have a good time and just feeling left out. But I know that I’m still a part of a team and I’m still a part like of the group. So the hardest part has just not been swimming with the people that I love to swim with.”

How long have you been swimming?

“Nine years”

Is this your first time going to State?

“No it is not, but I did not qualify to swim. I’m an alternate and I went last year as an alternate as well.”

How did you do at Region?

“I did good.”

What did you compete in?

“I swam the 200 and the 500 freestyle and I got fourth in both my events and dropped time.”

Can you describe your experience at Region prelims?

“Just to swim it so I could get to day two.” 

What was your goal for the Region finals?

“Drop time and hopefully place on the podium, but I didn’t so it’s okay.”

What was your initial reaction when you find out you’re going to State?

“I’m very happy and will enjoy the experience with my team.”

What are your expectations for State?

“Be the best I can and not slip on the floor, and hopefully make sure no one else slips on the floor.”

What is your favorite memory from this past season?

“My favorite memory was senior night when Daisy Thompson swam the 500 for the first time and she was so proud.”

What has been the hardest part leading up to state?

“Prepping for Region with club and high school and trying to find the balance. And my knee. I had a really bad knee injury at the beginning of the season. And so coming back from that was hard.”

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“Our team is really good. And we have gotten a lot closer this year than last year. The seniors have contributed a lot to that, so I thank them.”

How long have you been swimming?

“I’ve been swimming since I was 6. So like eight years.”

Is this your first time going to State?

“Yes.”

How did you do at Region?

“I did OK. I just got over being sick, so it’s kind of a tough time swimming.”

What did you compete in?

“100 breast and 50 free.”

Can you describe your experience at Region?

“It was really fun. I had a good time bonding with everyone and just cheering everyone on.” 

What were your expectations for Region prelims?

“Not to get last, just have fun.”

What was your goal in the Region finals?

“Do better than I did Day One and drop time. “

What was your initial reaction when you find out you’re going to State?

“I was low key surprised. I didn’t think I made it. I remember getting up and telling my mom and she didn’t believe me.”

What is your favorite memory from this past season?

“The second day of Region. We were just all cheering when we won and stuff.”

What has been the hardest part leading up to State?

“Waking up to practice.” 

How many years have you been swimming?

“I started when I was six.”

Is this your first time going to state?

“Yes, it is. I was on the state team last year but I didn’t go. I had a Silver Star competition.” 

How did you do at Region?

“I think I did pretty well.”

What did you compete in?

“I swam the 50 free, the 100 free, and the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay.”

Can you describe your experience at Region?

“It was a really great experience. I was really nervous. Just because I had like, not the best times going in because I was sick at the meet before. So that kind of worried me a little bit. But it was really fun being with my team and connecting. It was a really great experience.”

 What were your expectations at prelims?

“At prelims, I was just trying to make it into finals. I wasn’t trying to really go my best times in prelims, I was just trying to do well enough to make it in the finals.”

How about in the Region finals?

“I was just trying to be the best that I could  and to swim faster than as many people as possible.”

What was your initial reaction when you found out you were going to State?

“My friend told me and I was really excited because I’ve been hoping to go to State for a while and I was sad. I couldn’t go last year because I was an alternate. And then when I found out that I was gonna get to swim this year, I was super excited. I’m  really looking forward to it.”

What are you doing to prep for state?

“I think I’m just trying to get a lot more rest and stay focused, not eat that much junk food, try to be healthy.”

What are your expectations for State?

“I am really optimistic. I think we’re gonna do really well. I think that we all have the ability to do really well if we just push through.”

What is your favorite memory from this past season?

“I think my favorite memory was watching my friend Marisa Chinen swim her 500s. She swims it at every meet. I just like to cheer her on. It’s such a long race and I could never do that.  She always tells me it’s not that bad. I’m like, I could never do that. And I just love watching her and cheering her on because she’s so good. And seeing her after her races and be like, ‘You did so good.’ And she’s smiling. It’s awesome.”

What has been the hardest part of preparing to go to State?

“I think the hardest part for me is just trying to not be nervous and not let it consume me because I have other stuff I have to do and I don’t want to worry about it too much. But I just get really nervous.”

How many years have you been swimming? 

“I’ve been in swimming since third grade.”

Is this your first time going to state?

“Yes.”

How did you do at Region and what did you compete in?

“I did pretty good. I competed in 500 free and I got sixth in that and then I competed in 100 back and I got 9th.”

Can you describe your experience at Region?

“So, it was really fun. I was bonding with more people and I talked to people I haven’t as much.”

What were your expectations going in?

“Not high. I didn’t think I would get to be on the State team, so I’m pretty excited about that.” 

What was your initial reaction when you found out you were going to State?

“I was napping and my mom had run upstairs and she was like, ‘you made the team.’ And then I, like, finally realized it. So I was excited. It was very exciting.”

How are you prepping for State?

“I think I’m preparing more mentally than physically.”

What are your expectations for State?

“I’m hoping that our relays can make finals and ribbon because I don’t think we’ll medal, but I’m hoping that our relays do really good.”

So this being your first year, what is going to State mean for you, and how do you think it will be different?

“I would say it means a lot because I’ve had two knee surgeries in the last few years, so I really did not expect to be able to go to State. So it means a lot.”

What is your favorite memory from the season? 

“I don’t know. There’s no specific ones, I really enjoy getting ready with everyone in the mornings after practice.”

How long have you been swimming?

“I’ve been swimming for 11 years.”

Is this your first time going to State?

“Yes.”

How did you do at Region?

“I didn’t do as good as I hoped I would, but I would still say that I did good.”

What did you compete in?

“I competed in the 200 IM, 100 back, 400 free relay and the 200 medley relay.”

Can you describe your experience at Region?

“Everyone was super hyped up and just excited to swim. The vibes were all super good.”

What were your expectations for Region prelims?

“My goals for day one Region were to just make it to top 8 and try and hold a spot in the A final.”

What were your expectations for Region finals?

“Day two I was going to try to at least get first or second in most of my events.”

What was your initial reaction when you find out you were going to State?

“I was super excited. But I was also super nervous because I’ve never been to State before.”

Are you doing anything to prep for State?

“I am definitely trying to get more sleep and eat healthier and try not to stress about everything.” 

What are your expectations for State?

“I would really like to make A final in the 100 back and just have fun and not try to stress too much.”

This being your first year, what does going to State mean to you?

“It’s a big accomplishment that not many people get to experience so I guess just to be proud of how far I’ve come.”

What is your favorite memory from this past season?

“Definitely our team outings and bonding with all the girls and just getting to know everyone.”

What has been the hardest part leading up to State?

“Definitely waking up at 5 in the morning every morning.”

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“Never say never. And always reach for the biggest goals. Never put down any goals just because you think they’re too hard.”

 What grade are you in? 

“I’m a freshman.” 

All right, So how many years have you been doing Swimming? 

“I’ve been doing it my whole life, but I really started to actually show up to practice and actually try in practice when I was in, like, probably fifth or sixth grade.”

So is this your first time doing the state?

“Yeah, it is. So this is exciting”

So how did you do at Region and what did you compete in? 

“I’m pretty proud of my performance at Regionals because I competed in the 200 freestyle, and I was able to win that. I was surprised because I’ve just been dropping, like, so much this season, I’ve dropped about, seven or 8 seconds. And then after that, I swam the 100 butterfly, I did okay in that one. I mean, it was technically my best swim, but I got third. I didn’t make it to State automatically. But they take the next eight fastest times. So I was still able to go to State in that one. And then we have a 200 free relay, which was a fun one. And the 400 relay, I wasn’t even supposed to be in the 400 free relay. I was supposed to be in the 200 medley, but we switched up because the 200 the medley was right before the 200 free. I was going to be dead. And so my coach was like, ‘Hey, do you want to switch?’ 

Can you describe your experience at Region?

“It was so amazing because everybody was there. Everybody was cheering for you. It was so fun. Like, I love my team. We’re a very closeknit team. It was just so much fun. The energy was there. We were all excited and everybody was festive and stuff like that. It was really fun.”

What were your expectations for Region? 

“I was kind of excited, but I was also like nervous. I was also kind of sick, you know, And so I was a little bit apprehensive.”

But so what was your initial reaction when you first found out you were going to State?

“Well, okay, so I guess my first thing was the 200 free. I felt like I was dying. And that’s kind of what happens. I went a tenth of a  second slower in my second 100, but I got out and I knew that I won because I like sort of looking around. I didn’t see the person next to me. I kind of looked for my name because they have your name in the place you got. So I looked and I saw number one. I was so happy.”

What are your expectations for State? 

“The hard part is over. I’m just happy I get to swim at State and I may do great, I may not do great, but I’m just so grateful that I get to swim that it doesn’t really matter to me what happens next, because I because I’m going to state.”

This being your first year, what does going to State mean to you?

“When I was really young, I was in one of the slowest groups, you know, slowest people ever. And I never thought in a million years that I could ever like be at the level I am now. So it’s so a lot to think about how far I’ve come in the last few years. It’s like, look at all the hard work that brought me here. So I am honored to swim.”

So what’s been your favorite memory from the season overall?

“Whenever we made it in the 400 free relay because I was swimming it and my friend was swimming with me and I wanted us to go to State together. So I swam and then we won. We were seeded I think sixth or something like that. And we went and we won it. And I was so happy because I was like, ‘We can both go.’ And that was amazing. And, it was a happy conclusion.”

So what has been the hardest part of the season leading up to here?

“It’s got to be a time between getting up at 5:30 and jumping in the freezing pool. The heater broke. It was during the dead of winter. It was so cold. But also with swimming, does come heartbreak. So whenever you don’t do as good as you think you’re going to do. It does hurt because when you think about a race and you’re prepared for it, you think you’ve done everything right, sometimes you do your best but it was not enough.”

How long have you been swimming?

“Since I was 8. I started competitive swimming at 11.”

What team did you swim with when you were younger? 

“When I was younger,  the Bear Branch Bears for summer league and then competitively Blue Tide.”

Is your first time going to State? 

“Yes.”

How did you do at Region?

“I’m going to State for relays but I’ve been doing 100 free and 100 back. And I got a 57 in my 100 free for the first time last weekend. And then I got a 1:07 in my 100 back.”

Can you describe your experience at Region?

“It was really fun swimming with all my teammates and everything. And like, when they call us out for our names in the final heat, that was really cool too.”

What were your expectations in prelims?

“I thought I was gonna do really well, like I dropped some time but I thought I’d be better in finals. I did my best.”

What were your expectations at finals?

“That I would drop some time. I dropped a second in the 100 back after prelims. But then the 100 free I stayed about the same.”

What was your initial reaction when you found out you’re going to State? 

“I was really excited about that, because I thought I would only make it to Districts or something because I didn’t know how high school swim worked yet. So I’m really excited.”

Are you doing anything to prep for State?

“Taper, that’s when you go easier in practices and stuff. Rest up.”

What are your expectations for State?

“I think we’re gonna do really well. And it’s just gonna be fun there.”

This being your first year, what does going to State mean to you?

“It’s definitely going to be way bigger because it’s at UT.  It’s all the way in Austin. So it’s going to be bigger, a lot more people. And it’s definitely going to be harder because everyone there is super fast.”

What has been the hardest part of getting ready for State

“All the practices. I do two practices a day now because I have Blue Tide and K-Park.”