Katie Black

Which sport do you play?  Swimming

What school do you attend?  Coronado High School

How long have you competed and what motivated you to get involved in your sport?  I have been competing for five years in swimming. My dad was a swimmer and always encouraged me to get involved with swimming. He always told me I would be a natural at it. Plus, I didn’t like the sports where you sweat.
 
What do you like most about your sport? I love swimming because not only is it a team sport, but it brings out the individual competitiveness.

What is your favorite sport to watch on TV and why?  My favorite sport to watch is baseball. I was pretty much born into being a White Sox fan, due to the fact I am from the south side of Chicago.

Who is your favorite athlete or person you draw inspiration from? My favorite athlete is Natalie Coughlin, because she taught me how to deal with the mental challenge in swimming. To prepare herself for races, she would tell herself that she knew the race was going to hurt, but after the race is done, all that pain will go away. “The pain is temporary, but the pride lasts forever.”

Do you think that being an athlete helps or hinders you with your academic studies? Being an athlete definitely helps you with your academic studies. With two swimming practices a day, I wasn’t able to have a lot of down time which made me follow a vigorous schedule, but it was to my benefit. It breeds discipline and self-motivation which carries over into other aspects of life.

What is the biggest challenge for a student-athlete?  The biggest challenge of being a student-athlete is the fact that you aren’t a regular high school student. Most high school students don’t have to worry about waking up for morning practice before school or Saturday mornings. As for me, my social life revolves around swimming and that was a very hard obstacle to overcome.

Do you plan on pursuing your sport at the college level? After four years of rigorous training and many ups and downs, I am very proud to say I will be attending The University of Alabama on a swimming scholarship this fall. Roll Tide.

Please list any accomplishments you are proud of achieving in your sport: My most precious accomplishment in swimming is receiving a scholarship to Bama. When you work so hard for something for so long it’s an amazing feeling knowing it finally paid off. Also, I was the first ever Coronado swimmer to win an individual state title for swimming. I am the 200 Freestyle State Champion. I had many accomplishments on Coronado’s Relay Teams, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. I want to thank my Club coach Mike Polk for always putting up with me. Also, to my second parents Mr. and Mrs. Brayman, the Coronado Swim coaches, for the support and guidance they gave me.

Any other comments that you think may be necessary for this questionnaire?  I just want to say thank you to my parents for sticking with me through all the hard times. Whether it was recruiting trips or making me decide on my college choice by myself, I just want to say thank you so much. Dad, you will always be my No. 1 fan no matter how far away I am. You have made me into the athlete I am. You put so much energy and dedication into making sure I was the best I could be and I love you! It gives me goosebumps every time you say ROLL TIDE and it’s an amazing feeling to know I have made you proud. Mom, you are my rock, my best friend, and my support system. I will miss you deeply next year when I have no one to come home and complain to about how hard practice was. Be prepared for the phone calls. Thank you again Mom and Dad for all the effort you put into my life and swimming! I love you both! Roll Tide Roll!

Do you have a favorite saying? “I like you,” –Borat, or another favorite by Borat is “Very Nice.” You can say I am a fan of the movie.

What is your favorite food? Chicken wings and Caesar salad.

Favorite show on TV? Law and Order: SVU

Favorite movie? Borat and Clueless