Kelsi Worrell, Louisville senior, somehow manages to keep up with her academic career while at the same time keeping up the training to be the fastest yards 100 butterflier in history AND representing the United States at international competition. How does she do it? She let us in on some of her secrets.
KO: Being a student athlete in the NCAA is no easy task— what’s the hardest part of splitting your time between academics and athletics?
KW: As a freshman, taking anywhere from 12-15 hours of class can at first appear like you have a lot more time during the week compared to high school. Pretty quickly you learn that between the 20 hours of work-outs per week, pre/post practice treatments, possibly extra hours of study hall and tutors, as well as other team responsibilities, the 24 hours you have in a day slip by in a blink of an eye leaving very little time to actually study. I’m sure many other collegiate athletes will agree that getting ahead of school work before travel meets, where you can miss a whole week of school, can be a huge challenge, but somehow, semester after semester, you make it through, but not without the support of amazing academic advisors,teammates, coaches, as well as planning head for your classes.
KO: How do you get through those days when you really don’t want to get up and swim or go to class? What’s the driving force behind your commitment to the sport of swimming in addition to getting a top tier education?
KW: Showing up at both class and practice is just the first step in becoming a better athlete and getting your education. To quote my coach, Arthur Albiero, being where your feet are at practice, meaning be in the moment, focused on each lap, is so important instead of just going through the motions. Going to class and staying off your phone is the best piece of advice I would give any college freshmen. Also, coffee and Jesus get me through those really tough days.
KO: What does it mean to you to be able to represent Team USA at international meets?
KW: Representing Team USA is the greatest honor, wearing an American flag cap so so special, and spending time with the national team an adventure. I’m so thankful for the chances I have had last year to travel and compete for our country, and God willing, I hope to have other chances, but my desire is to never lose sight of what it means to swim for the US.
KO: It doesn’t seem like it’d be easy to be an NCAA student athlete and, additionally, go to meets like the Duel in the Pool in the middle of your collegiate season. Plus, you somehow manage to get up and swim really fast at meets like the Duel. Does your mentality change going into a meet when you’re representing USA versus when you’re repping your college team? (in other words, how do you get up and race at international meets as compared to collegiate meets?)
KW: I love racing. Whether it’s in practice on a Saturday morning, a duel meet, or a national or international meet, racing is the reason why we train seemingly endless hours in the pool. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to hopefully swim for less time and racing is what we work for. My mentality from meet to meet does not change, I just want to have fun and use my attitude and my ability to glorify God.
KO: Being a collegiate athlete along with making a name for yourself as a strong contender for the 2016 Olympic team— those are two big responsibilities that must take a ton of hard work and discipline. Do you see these responsibilities as giving you an added experience boost as you head into Trials and, hopefully, the Olympics?
KW: I don’t see them specifically giving me an added boost, I will have a lane just like everyone else who has qualified for trials! The preparation that I have done this past year, and even the years before, as well as other racing experience, will give me an unshakable confidence as I step up behind the block to race in Omaha and we will see from there. The results are in God’s hands!
KO: Did you see yourself, when you were younger, developing into one of the top sprinters in the country?
KW: As many mid-distance practices as I’ve been doing, it’s hard for me to feel like a sprinter sometimes! I definitely did not see myself reaching this level in any area and still don’t feel like a top sprinter. I still have lots of room to improve and that’s why I’m so excited for what lies ahead!
After NCAAs and graduation, Worrell will turn her focus on Olympic Trials and Rio. She’s certainly expected to duke it out for one of two spots in the 100 fly at Olympic Trials.
Kelsie is also an amazing role model. She has taken the time to personally answer my daughters questions during her own recruiting process. Many times over the last year when my daughter was uncertain or needed advice she would text Kelsi a quick text. We knew she was super busy with a crazy schedule, yet she always answered her and always had a positive response. She was never too busy to give her advice. Simply put she is an awesome person.