By Murray Gleffe, Correspondent
Name Katherine O’Connell
Sport Swimming
What is it like to be a leader on the swim team at Ashwaubenon? “It’s fun to motivate and support the girls throughout the season. It is also awesome to see their growth and improvement as they work towards a championship season. Encouraging, friendly competition among the girls helps us strive to be better in the pool and as a team.”
What is your most embarrassing moment ever in swimming? “Being told your suit is ripped.”
How many years have you been involved in swimming? “I’ve been involved in swimming from a very young age. I used to tag along to my sisters meets, but didn’t start swimming until I was 10.”
What is your most memorable moment in swimming? “My most memorable moment in swimming was the championship season last year. Our team won sectionals. We broke the 200 Free Relay school record at state, and also were on the podium for the 200 and 400 Free Relay at state.”
What’s the hardest aspect about swimming? “The hardest part of swimming is the commitment. The early morning practices and meets carve a lot of time out of the day, so it is hard to balance everything out. The sport is physically demanding and mentally grueling. It takes hard work and effort, but I love it.”
If you could be somebody for one day, who would it be? “Anyone who has had a great success or failure; to know what that moment would feel like and be able to learn from it.”
What are your college aspirations? “I am not totally sure, but I am interested in attending Eau-Claire to pursue nursing.”
What would be your dream job once you graduate? “A pediatric oncologist nurse.”
What are your hobbies? “I enjoy playing piano, boating, baking, spending time with friends, and watching sunsets.”
What is your favorite sporting event ever attended? “A Monday night snowshoe baseball game when the wounded warriors played against the local Lake Tomahawk team. It was amazing to watch the warriors play with their physical conditions. My grandparents have been committed to supporting the snowshoe baseball program which was how I was introduced to it. This small-town tradition consists of homemade pies, raffles, and starting the 7th inning with a cantaloupe for the first pitch, which ensures a fun summer night.”
What is your favorite kind of music? “Alternative, folk rock, & indie”
What is your favorite thing to do on your phone? “Listen to music & communicate with friends”
What three words best describe you? “Kind, hard-working, compassionate”
What is your favorite trip(s) ever taken? “My favorite trips have been down in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida; specifically, when I was 12. My family goes every year, but that was the last time my siblings were both on the trip with us before they went off to college!”
Favorites:
Food:
Pasta Salad
Subject:
Science
TV Show:
Deadliest Catch
Athlete:
Chris Cook
Board Game:
Settlers of Catan
Candy:
Tootsie Roll’s
Ice Cream:
Mint
Holiday:
Thanksgiving & Christmas
Season:
Fall
Comments from Jaguar Head Swim Coach, Jennifer Steffel “Katherine is the best of the best. She is the complete package….truly great young lady who is kind to others, talented athlete, one the hardest workers on the team, and never complains about what she is asked to do. Very often seniors have a little bit of a ‘fire in their belly’. This holds true with Katherine. She came in to the season focused to accomplish not only personal goals but team goals as well. Katherine is a very talented swimmer who can pretty much swim anything. This makes her easy to train, and race. She is definitely a leader on the team and others look to her for that leadership. Going into the championship section of our season, I have the ultimate faith and confidence that she will reach her goals and the potential I see in her. It has been a pleasure to be her high school coach.”