On Campus: Washington & Jefferson Senior Kaitlyn Orstein

By Brian Savard

SELINSGROVE, Pennsylvania, September 13. ON Campus travels to the Keystone State next to focus on Washington & Jefferson senior Kaitlyn Orstein.

Orstein, whose hometown is Pittsburgh, Pa., swam in the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Swimming and Diving Championships, clipping one record and earning two gold medals. Orstein lowered the former Division III standard in the 200 IM with a time of 2:03.13. She also placed third in the 400 IM (4:24.34) and first in the 200 breaststroke (2:17.36).

She graduated from Mount Lebanon High School, just 24 miles down the road from Washington & Jefferson. In her senior year at Mount Lebanon, Orstein put up times worthy of being one of the top recruits in the country for all divisions of the NCAA. She set a class AAA state record in the 200 IM (2:01.03) and also placed first in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.04) at the 2004 Pennsylvania High School Swimming and Diving Championships. Throughout her four years in high school, she earned 21 individual All-American standards.

At Washington & Jefferson, she is working toward a bachelor's degree in English.

What is your favorite movie?
Love & Basketball and The Emperor's New Groove

What one song psyches you up the most before a race?
Eminem and 50 Cent- "You Don't Know"

What is your GPA?
3.1

Activities on campus (other than swimming)?
Swimming representative for SAAC
Volunteer work at the local public library

Collegiate awards won (both academic and athletic)?
Five individual NCAA titles
NCAA record holder
11-time All-American

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
As a successful Realtor in the Pittsburgh area. I'm in the process of getting my real estate license. I'll be employed with a company by the end of summer. Also my plans include coaching swimming at the high school level.

What made you choose the college that you attend?
I chose Washington & Jefferson College because I can get a great education and do what I love the most at the same time, as W&J has a great swimming program. It's a small campus, so it's nice that everyone can know you and know what you've accomplished.

At what point in your swimming career did you realize your talent as an elite swimmer?
I always thought I had a natural talent in the sport, but I guess it really hit me when I qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2004 in the 200 IM and 100 breast. Also, it hit me when I received a standing ovation for breaking the Pennsylvania State Record in the 200 IM my senior year of high school.

What are your goals for the 2007-08 season?
My goals are to better all my times and have a lot of fun doing it. I'm going to lift and do more strength training outside of practice. I'm looking forward to maximizing my potential for my final collegiate year.

What advice would you give to a high school swimmer with your talent looking at colleges?
Don't make your decisions based on what everyone else wants you to do; do what makes you the happiest.

What is the most difficult challenge that you've had to overcome in your swimming career?
Probably the hardest thing I've had to overcome is swimming for my dad. My dad is my collegiate coach and sometimes it's really hard when you want to think of your dad as just your dad and not your coach! Of course we clash now and then, but overall it's been a great experience!

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x