Seniors, Freshmen Compare Fall Semester
December 14, 2006 | Women's Swimming & Diving
After a semester of competition in the books, a freshman and senior from both of the University of Wisconsin men's and women's swimming and diving teams share their thoughts on how the first few months of the 2006-07 season went for them on a personal and athletic level.
The following compares and contrasts the chronicles of senior Christine Wanezek and freshman Rosie Morahan. Please check the men's swimming and diving page to read sportid=132&storyid=9887"> --> their story .
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Christine Wanezek, Sr., Brookfield, Wis.
As the first semester of my senior year comes to a close, I am once again reminded of how quickly the time passes! It is hard to believe that in just one semester I will be a college graduate from one of the finest universities in the country. This fall semester has been filled with great moments that I was lucky to share with many wonderful people.
Swimming for the University of Wisconsin has been a tremendous opportunity and it has provided me with many unique experiences. Traveling around the country with my coaches and teammates is one 'perk' of swimming that I will miss the most. As a senior, it was an important goal of mine to truly enjoy my last year of college swimming. Waking up at 5:30 every morning will never be the easiest part of my day, but knowing that every practice is one practice closer to my last Big Ten swim meet helps me to enjoy the work in front of me.
A special highlight of my senior year came when my parents surprised me and made plans to fly down and watch our swim meet in Tucson, Ariz. Minutes after our team arrived at the hotel in Tucson, I heard a familiar voice call my name. As I looked up, my jaw dropped and I quickly realized that my parents had planned a special trip from Wisconsin to Arizona to spend the weekend watching me compete in one of my last swim meets.
Competing this season has probably been the most fun and rewarding of any season so far. Each swim meet brings about the typical nerves that accompany my races, but as a senior it has been easier to remind myself to have fun and enjoy what I am doing. As a result, I have been swimming faster than I ever have before. I am excited to see what the last eight weeks of swimming have in store for me.
Along with finishing up my swimming career this February, I am also looking forward to graduating in May with degrees in French and Women's Studies. The education that I have received at this university has been outstanding and I feel very fortunate and thankful for what I have learned from everyone around me.
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Rosie Morahan, Fr., London, England
My first semester as a Badger, where do I start' So much has happened! Nothing could prepare me for the excitement, hard work and dedication that would come with being a Badger!
The team is full of positive energy even at 6 in the morning! I couldn't believe the atmosphere within the team in practice and competition. It raised my confidence to new levels and spurred me on during those tough workouts! Being from another country (England) I have had to adjust to a whole new way of life. I can honestly say without the support of the swim team, my life here would have been a whole lot harder! It is like one big family. There is always someone on the team to talk to about anything from academics, life, the usual plus they can always take you to the mall!
The transition to college life has been tough but I have learned a lot about myself in the process; it has been a continuous learning curve. The academics here at Wisconsin are demanding but I have enjoyed every single aspect and enjoy a challenge! I have learned a routine and how to study efficiently, which took a while. There is no mum nagging to clean your room or study hard; you have to be self-motivated. I am now a lot more prepared and ready for a new semester where I look forward to the new challenges ahead!
The competition has been so different from anything I have ever experienced. The dual meets have lived up to the expectation. The energy on pool deck and by the fans has been unbelievable. It generated excitement and belief within! The actual meets have been very intense due to the small turnaround in between events, which I am still adjusting to but each meet is getting easier and faster! Meets in England are slow and boring, so to come here and compete in dual meets has been one of the biggest changes. I have had to change my race preparation, warm up and adjust to swimming multiple events within a small timeframe. I have proven to myself that you can swim many events well in one night.
One of the greatest aspects of being a Badger is traveling to various locations across the country with the team. The exposure to racing against a variety of swimmers has been invaluable. Each meet I have tried to improve on something from the last and I am learning each step of the way. My first big meet at Texas as a Badger was great. The team came alive! It was great to compete against so many big teams with such huge talent. It was nerve racking but I enjoyed getting up and racing. I felt proud to be a Badger!
I came to America to experience college sports at its best and to be coached by world -class coaches. My first semester at Wisconsin has been a whole new life experience. Every day has pushed me to new levels mentally and physically. I have had a great time along the way learning many new things about myself in the pool and out. I have found a whole new desire for the sport and this is due to the Wisconsin Badgers! My first semester couldn 't have gone better and I look forward to many more!
GO BADGERS!
