Name: Lauren Wille

School: Oswego Co-op

Sport: Swimming, senior

Why she was selected: Wille won the 100 and 200-yard freestyle and and was part of the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relays as Oswego Co-op won the Neuqua Valley Sectional title.

She was voted by readers as the Record Newspapers Athlete of the Week. Here is her interview with Sports Editor Joshua Welge.

Welge: What did it mean to win the sectional title as a team?

Wille: I think it gave our team a huge boost of confidence because we have had quite an interesting season. Going into sectionals we knew who our competition was. We were mainly focused on getting our state qualifiers and getting as many girls to state as possible. In the back of our minds, of course we wanted to win. We had a feeling halfway through the meet that we would pull ahead; our second half is very strong. When they announced we won we went absolutely crazy.

Welge: How did you feel about your particular races?

Wille: I was particularly pleased with both of my races. The 200 freestyle, I just became a freestyler in the last year, that’s what I’ve been training for, I’m not your normal sprinter. Typically I’m 200 and 500. It was an interesting season of training. When it came to sectionals I did have goals. I had a teammate in both races who was neck and neck with me; we push each other. It was awesome to race with her and happy to get points for our team.

Welge: So you became a freestyler this year?

Wille: I’ve always you could say been a freestyler, but freshman to junior year I swam the breaststroke at state. The 200 free and the breaststroke were my main events. I got switched over to 100 freestyle because we needed a person, I’m been training a lot more freestyle than normal, specifically sprint freestyle is different for me.

Welge: What are your thoughts going into state?

Wille: I’m very excited for the weekend. This is one of biggest groups of girls we had qualify. That says something in itself. We have a diver going to state for the first time in like 40 years, that can give us more points. Winning the sectional, the fastest sectional in the state gives us a ton of confidence.

Welge: What made you decide to commit to Washington State?

Wille: There are a lot of reasons. I spoke to Washington State for about a year, I got to know them, went on an unofficial visit right when dead period lifted. I absolutely loved the campus and the coaching staff – it is perfect for me. They have such a positive atmosphere that I can’t wait to go their next fall. Their program is absolutely booming. They had their first PAC-12 champion this year and they beat Arizona for the first time in dual meets. Their program is progressing like crazy, and I’m excited to see how I can contribute.