Senior Laurel Jacobson, swim team captain, sits down with us to discuss swimming, Minnesota, and why she wakes up at 7 a.m.

Q: What is your main event?
A: I am a backstroker. I have to do everything, but my favorite event is the 200 meter.

Q: When does the swim team find time to practice with such heavy WU course loads?
A: We have practice sessions three times per day but it is flexible. Everyone practices 20-22 hours per week. In that, we have double sessions where weightlifting is included. It is eight two-hour sessions each week. You can go to morning practice or afternoon depending on your schedule.

Q: Is it difficult to make the WU swim team?
A: No, not that hard. If you have ever swam competitively you have a pretty good shot at making the team. Most people that join take it seriously, as the 20 hour weeks are not for the faint of heart.

Q: Is there much competition amongst the girls on the team?
A: A little bit, just typical team stuff. It’s all good as long as we beat whichever team we are playing.

Q: Is there any professional swimmer you admire?
A: Tom Malchow. He is a great guy and he’s from my area, so we have gotten to practice with him. He is a good swimmer to be around and has a general regard for everyone.

Q: How many years have you been in the pool?
A: Ten years.

Q: Do many love-seeking guys come out to watch the women’s team practice?
A: No, not really. Swim practices aren’t posted on the wall or anything. We rarely even have fans, its just not a spectator sport. You would have to be really hardcore to be a swim fan.

Q: What’s your thoughts about the movie Swimfan?
A: Yea, we all saw that movie and were commenting on the mistakes in the movie. It was a bad movie and not even worth the discounted price. People saw us critiquing the movie and wondered.

Q: What are the teams goals for the upcoming season?
A: We have our first meet on Saturday. This is for everyone to get a feel for the team. Our goal this season is not just the send swimmers to nationals, but to actually place.

Q: Would you consider yourself a team leader?
A: Well, I would hope so. I am the captain.

Q: I see you’re from Minneapolis, MN. It must be quite difficult swimming in a town known for its winters. Are you a tough Minnesota girl or do you only swim indoors?
A: We usually swim indoors in Minnesota, but during winter training we went to West Palm Beach and swam outside. Unfortunately, it was not a heated pool, and it was only about 40 degrees outside, so even though I am from Minnesota and supposed to be used to the cold, it was really uncomfortable.

Q: What kind of hobbies does a Minnesota girl have?
A: I also ski quite a bit. I skied cross-county competitively and also skied downhill for enjoyment quite often.

Q: What are you currently studying?
A: I am dual degree student. I am majoring in East Asian Studies along with International Business.

Q: Got any future plans?
A: Get a job. I know that I have to. I will probably work for some type of government institution.

Q: Will there be any swimming in your future, post- WU?
A: I don’t think I could dedicate the amount of time I have over the past years with a future job. I will still swim for fun and exercise, to not get fat.

Q: Are you much a baseball fan with the current playoffs?
A: I am a fair-weather fan so I am rooting for the Twins.

Q: Being a female athlete, what is your view on Title IX?
A: I believe the motivation behind it is good but it is not applied as well as it could be.

Q: I see you yawning and its only 11:15 p.m. Why do you have to get to bed so early?
A: I have practice tommorow morning at 7:30 a.m. Some days they’re at 7:00 a.m.

Q: Why do you live so far off-campus, on Rosebury (near The Dorchester)?
A: I actually inherited this apartment from another swimmer, and its not that far from campus. I drive to campus now, but I used to roller-blade there, which is also another one of my hobbies.

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