Junior Rachael Kurtz is a sprinter on the college swim team who has had considerable success recently, winning the 50-meter freestyle and placing in two other events in each of her last four meets.
When did you first start swimming and how long have you been swimming for Hillsdale?
I started swimming when I was really young. My brother took lessons. My mom says that as a kid I would beg my mom to let me get in the pool with him, even though I was way too young. I joined a swim team as soon as I was old enough, like the first or second grade, and I have been swimming ever since.
Do you ever get nervous before meets?
Not really nervous, I would just say excited. I don’t know, we [the team] are at that point where everyone is really good, we are all practicing 20 hours a week, we are all at the same level strength-wise, it’s all mental. I’ve hit the point where I know how to get myself psyched for a race. I know that if it comes down to it, I know I can just swim as fast as I can.
How do you get pumped for a meet?
We all do team 50s beforehand, so that we can all be doing something as a team. Then our coach will get us together and give us a pep talk before the meet starts. Then we all pray and do one cheer before we start. I think it’s a good tradition; I like the idea of us all praying as we get ready. To just give all the glory to God, that’s the best thing. I usually pray by myself before each race too. And okay, this is where it gets nerdy. I have inspirational talks on my headset that I will listen to. There is one really good one that I was listening to all weekend. It says that you have to want to succeed just as much as you want to breathe. If you can do that, you’re going to get it. It’s just a good thought. I don’t know, it just gets me really pumped, just listening to stuff like that. That’s basically it.
What are some of your other commitments at Hillsdale, and how do you balance them with swimming?
Well, I’m in Chi Omega, so that is a big commitment. I try to put as much time into it as I can and I try to be at as many of the events as I can, but they are the most understanding girls. If I can’t make one of our meetings, they definitely understand. I am also part of the Host Program and the Student Activities Board, and I work as a lifeguard. Balancing all of it takes work, but I’m used to it. I’ve been doing it my entire life. I’ve always had school and swimming. And our coach understands that I have swimming now, but school is my future.
Do you have any tips for younger athletes trying to balance sports with academics?
I would say, just have fun, and make sure you really enjoy your team. If you can’t commit and have your teammates with you, then it can be a really bumpy road. I think once you find where you are supposed to be – once you find a balance – it all makes sense. With the rigorous academics here at Hillsdale, and then having to train, and then having other things you want to do, and then trying to fit friends into all of that, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. But just have fun with everything, and give each thing you are involved with everything that you can.
Do you have any long (or short) term goals for this season?
Last year I was 1/100th of a second off of making nationals, so this year my goal is, basically, just to make it to nationals. That would be nice. But in the end, if I don’t, I really want to make sure I give it my all. As long as I keep trying and keep having fun, it will all work out the way it should.
What is your definition of a good Charger fan?
Definitely one that is committed. I like to think that Chargers are classy too. We obviously get really into our sports and want to win, but we know how to keep it classy.
How important is team spirit to you?
It’s one of the biggest things. If a team isn’t working together, even in a sport that is mostly individual, I know that we won’t do as well as we could. We might still have good times and we might still swim well, but if you don’t have the support of your team then it will put a damper on everything else.
