Promising Seniors-To-Be 2007: Genny Konicke

PHOENIX, Arizona, June 4. GENNY Konicke, who swims for Craig Harris at Plano Senior High and Steve Mateer at City of Plano Swimming in Plano, Texas, is next up in our Promising Seniors-To-Be series on SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.

As of the May 29 National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) release of All-American candidates, Konicke sits 10th in the 50 free with a time of 23.13. Additionally, she clocked times of 51.09 in the 100 free, 1:52.15 in the 200 free and 58.36 in the 100 back to earn spots on the applicant list in those events.

Konicke, who moved from Alaska to Plano with her family last year, chatted with SwimmingWorldMagazine.com about her swimming career to this point.

Was there a watershed mark in your career that made it clear you had a gift for the sport and could achieve big things?
The turning point of my swimming career was in 2004 at the Alaska High School State Championship when I broke the 24-second barrier in the 50 SCY free for my first time. I remember looking at the scoreboard with a huge smile and tons of excitement thinking of what else I was capable of accomplishing.

What type of interaction do you have with your coach when it comes to training? What kind of input do you have?
My coach (Steve Mateer) consistently hammers technique and mental tips for me to work on during practice. When a teammate and I are racing each other at practice, he emphasizes to us to compete against each other, which brings the mental game into our set. But, we don't always have a serious atmosphere during training, we also joke around with each other and share a lot of good laughs.

What are your goals for your senior season?
I'm hoping to get another senior national cut before attending Senior Nationals this summer and other than that, just improving the way I train and enjoying my last summer season as a high schooler.

Who has made the biggest impact on your swimming career to this point?
Definitely my coach (Steve Mateer) and the team. He is always making me strive to achieve more than I thought I could and makes me believe I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to. My team is extremely supportive and inspirational, they're always cheering for other teammates and me at meets and at practice. During practice,e we're always pushing each other to do our best but also goof around a lot. We have all seen each other at our best and our worst, which forms this incredible bond between us.

Have you verbally committed to any University? If so, which one and why? If not, who is in your top five and why?
I haven't verbally committed to any university. My top five is constantly changing around but Texas and Texas A&M are always in there. I know I would like to stay in the south just to be close to family, and after being exposed to cold weather in Alaska for seven years, I'm eager to stick with a warmer climate. Overall, I'm looking at schools who have great swimming and academics since both aspects are important to me.

What has the recruiting process been like for you?
It's been really fun and exciting. I've enjoyed meeting a lot of swimmers and coaches through unofficial visits. I'm really looking forward to continuing this process and taking official visits later this year.

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