College Recruit Rankings Profile: Five-Star Katie Gardocki, Class of 2009

PHOENIX, Arizona, June 25. THE next prospect in the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings Profile series is Katie Gardocki. Gardocki is a five-star freestyle recruit from the Class of 2009. She swims for Suffield High and the Aquabears in Connecticut.

Gardocki, who keeps up her own profile in the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings powered by Take Your Marks, would have already qualified for the B Final in the NCAA Division I Championships with a time of 4:44.03 in the women's 500-yard free.

Additionally, Gardocki has a pair of U.S. Olympic Trials cuts with times of 4:14.25 in the 400-meter free and 8:42.31 in the 800-meter free. She also has a B-cut time of 16:34.02 in the 1650-yard free.

When and where did you start swimming?
I've been swimming pretty much my whole life. When I was six months old, I began taking swim lessons at the Suffield Country Club, which led to the bubbler swim team and eventually graduated to the senior team. I loved that so much that I wanted more. That is how I ended up on the team I am on now. I have been on the Aquabears Swim Team for more than 10 years.

What, to this point, is your best moment in the sport and why?
I would have to say the best moment in my swimming career to date would be being part of the Junior National Team. It was one of the best experiences ever! Knowing that you are part of the USA team is an awesome feeling. To be able to wear a cap with the US flag with your last name on it is just the greatest feeling. I remember opening the enormous box of team apparel and accessories we received from USA Swimming, seeing USA printed on everything was a very powerful feeling.

What is your favorite set?
My favorite set would have to be a classic Bear set of 500 frees and 400 IMs. We usually do six on six minutes alternating between the 500 and 400's. I've been doing this set for years and I never get sick of it.

What is your least favorite set?
My least favorite set would have to be a set we did a couple of weeks ago, 100×100's on 1:15 free It wasn't like it was a hard set but it was extremely long and very boring. It took up about 2/3 of our Saturday morning practice.

What are your short term goals?
One short term goal I have is I would like to final at Olympic Trials this month. I also hope to make the World Youth Championships in Mexico after Trials. I think it would be a fantastic experience and a step up as well.

What are your long term goals?
I hope to commit to a college early and be a major contributor to the swim team while I am there. I would like to final at the NCAA's. On top of swimming, I would like to pursue a degree in food science.

What colleges are you interested in?
There are a great deal of wonderful schools who have shown interest in me and that I am interested in. It will be difficult to narrow the field down, but I am working on that.

Who would you name as the most influential person and coach in your swimming career?
My family has always been my biggest support system. My mom and dad have always been at every swim meet cheering me on. My sister Sara provides me with sisterly advice, even when I don't ask for it. The most influential coach is definitely Jon Levine of the Aquabears. Jon has coached me through the years and helped me achieve many of my goals in swimming.

Is there anything else interesting that you'd like our readers to know about you?
Being a typical teenage girl my favorite pass time is spending time with my friends shopping, watching horror movies and having lunch at Moe's Southwest Grill.

To be eligible to be featured in this series, please make sure you create a new profile, or request to take over your admin-created account in the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings powered by Take Your Marks. Click here for information on how to do so.

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