March 28, 2024
Girls Swimming

2020 Northwest Herald Girls Swimmer of the Year: Richmond-Burton's Eleni Gewalt

Gewalt is first Rockets swimmer to win award

Richmond-Burton's Eleni Gewalt only got one chance to swim this fall, but she made it count.

Richmond-Burton doesn't have a girls swim team, so Gewalt's opportunities to compete during the high school swimming season are limited to sectionals and – if she qualifies – the state meet.

A state meet wasn't held this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting Gewalt's season even shorter. Although disappointing, that didn't prevent the Rockets junior from a memorable final day of the season.

Gewalt, who trains with the Pleasant Prairie Patriots in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, had the best sectional performance of any area swimmer, winning the 100-yard freestyle (52.17) and finishing runner-up in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.71) at the Highland Sectional last month.

After making her second straight state appearance last season, where she took fifth in the 100 breaststroke, Gewalt will use the next year to train and get faster with hopes of another state trip.

For her accomplishments, Gewalt is the Northwest Herald Girls Swimmer of the Year, chosen by the sports staff. Gewalt spoke to sports writer Alex Kantecki about her big sectional performance, why she's not a morning person, her goals for next year and more.

Do you have any hobbies outside swimming?

Gewalt: I like to read and do things outside with my friends and family. I also like painting. I wasn't super artistic before, but once the pandemic hit, I needed something to do. I started to paint, so I've gotten a lot better.

What’s your dream car?

Gewalt: This is going to sound weird, but my dream car is one of those hippie Volkswagen vans. I would have either yellow or aqua blue.

What will you remember most about your junior year?

Gewalt: My normal teacher, Caitlin Pitchford, couldn't take me this year, so another teacher at school, Kaycee Kaywood, gave up her time to step up and I'll forever be grateful for her. She was willing to give up her entire day to just be there with me.

What is your favorite race to swim?

Gewalt: Definitely the 100 breaststroke. I've always been a sprinter and the 100 breaststroke is the perfect amount of breaststroke, but the perfect amount of race where you can do something really great.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three things would you bring with you?  

Gewalt: I would probably bring a pair of goggles so I can go swimming, my favorite book and then a blanket because I can not fall asleep without a blanket.

Which musical act would you most like to see in concert?  

Gewalt: There's two because one is not realistic; that would be if One Direction were to reunite, I would need to see them in concert. But since the 10-year anniversary went by and we got nothing, I would probably want to see Wallows in concert.

Do you have any pre-swim rituals?

Gewalt: First, I need to eat the same meal before my big race the night before. And I need to have my nails painted hot pink. Before my race, I have to tighten my goggles as tight as I can and push them into my face where my eyes are going to pop out of my head. I put my arms into streamline, squeeze really hard where it sometimes will crack my shoulders and I'll wiggle a little bit. I have to do that before all of my races.

What’s your proudest sports moment? 

Gewalt: Back when I was 14, my long-course season, I was state champ three times. I was state champ in the 100 breast, the 200 breast and the 200 medley relay. The 200 breast stands out the most because, even though it was my second win of the meet, it was my first individual win ever. My whole team was cheering me on, all of my coaches were hyping me up. I had my mom, aunt and uncle and cousins all in the stands. As I started to finish, I could hear my coach going crazy.

What is something you are not good at, but wish you could do well?  

Gewalt: Dancing. I used to do dance for five years. I wish I was better at it, especially when I go to school dances. All I do is jump around. That's the only thing I know how to do.

Do you have any nicknames?

Gewalt: There's one nickname, Eleanor. That's not my name, whatsoever. There was one state meet and the announcer, every time he said my name, he said it in a different way. Some of my teammates picked it up, and I still have some of them calling it me now. Eleanor is one that has definitely stuck.

Who is your biggest hero?  

Gewalt: My mom. She has been pretty much a single mom my entire life. Her and my dad still get along really well and I see them both, but she has always sacrificed so much of her time to get me to swimming. She's made sure that I've had all the caps and goggles, all of the practice suits and tech suits, and all the extra equipment. She's always pretty much been in the stands and helping out. She gives so much to my sister and I. I can never express how grateful I am for all of it.

What is something people wouldn’t know about you?

Gewalt: I am extremely competitive and very loud. I'm kind of shy and stuff at the beginning, but once I get to know you the competitive side in me comes out and that's literally from my family. If you're not competitive in my family, you'll just get eaten alive by everybody else. There are times where my mom will say, 'You're screaming at me,' and I'm like, 'No, I'm not.'

What's your favorite meal?

Gewalt: My favorite meal would be pretty big. A good steak. A nice steak ... I don't discriminate against steaks. Probably some pasta on the side but you definitely need a crescent roll in there, or two or three.

What are you looking forward to next year?

Gewalt: I'm hopeful that I will be in the top 3 in the 100 breaststroke for the state finals. I feel like I have that potential to be up there. My coach has said it to me so many times. I'll likely do 100 freestyle again unless another random event pops up. I want to prove people a little wrong, too.