Lake Catholic Swimmer Reflects on Season

For Amy Steigerwald, the 2012-2013 swimming campaign represented a season of achieved goals that has already produced optimism for next year.

Amy, a junior at Lake Catholic, was the only young woman to qualify for the district tournament earlier this month. She joined junior Ian Jones and members of the boys and girls 200 Yard Freestyle relay teams in representing the Cougars at districts.

"Both of our 200 relay (teams) got the very last spot to qualify in districts," Amy said. "We both dropped a ton of time, so that was good. We adjusted this year to some new coaching, and the relays were really experimental.

"It was pretty amazing that both were able to qualify."

Amy finished in 20th place in both her district tournament events — the 50 Yard Freestyle and 100 Yard Backstroke. Her 104.55 time in the backstroke during the sectional tournament broke a school record.

Amy remembers being on the team as a freshman when then-senior Katie Cordek previously set the record at 104:86. Amy was pleased to have Cordek cheer her on during the tournament season.

Amy hoped to make it to states, which concluded Saturday, but knew she had more work to do.

"I've been calculating since my freshman year how (much time) I dropped each year," she said. "I'm pretty much on track, based on what I've concluded.

"It's a major relief to have some time off now, but I do think about next year and how I can drop some time."