Kate Sullivan

SULLIVAN

Sophomore Kate Sullivan swims with The Kansas City Blazers everyday at the Roeland Park Aquatic Center. (Photo by Lucy Stofer)

SWIMS

FEATURES WITH A SMILE

Sophomore Kate Sullivan’s positive attitude inspires others while she works towards her goal of swimming same team for so long, she is very comfortable with her teammates and it makes the grueling practices much more bearable, according to Sullivan. in the Olympics. Sullivan sets three alarms for herself every BY LUCY STOFER REPORTER morning starting at 4 a.m. and sluggishly drags herself out of bed to throw her swimsuit on and start her day. Still exhausted, she then climbs

A huge smile spreads wide across into the car where she continues to sleep for the sophomore Kate Sullivan’s face. She’s talking 20 minute ride to practice. Sullivan starts her about swimming. morning by diving into the pool at 5 a.m. and is “I just love it. It’s one of those things that if immediately awoken by the chilly water. I stopped I don’t know what I would do with my At practice, she works on improving all of life. I love it.” her strokes including her favorites which are Just bringing up the topic of swimming breaststroke and freestyle. Once practice is over, makes the normally sunny and smiley Sullivan Sullivan hops into the shower at the pool and radiate and fill with joy. Sullivan is described arrives at school with wet hair and the signature by Kansas City Blazers coach Laura Hineman Sullivan bun on the top of her head. as “eternally happy” and by her teammate The hours of grueling work, early mornings, sophomore Ellie Magsamen as “fun and late nights and the time with school friends positive.” that she gives up is done with one specific goal

On top of being an enthusiastic and caring in mind: to make it to the Olympic trials. This person, Sullivan is also a serious athlete breaking intense schedule that she endures to reach her records for her competitive team. She was chosen goal is undoubtedly working though, according for Missouri Valley’s All Star team in 2013 and to Hineman. 2014. “Her times have improved tremendously

Sullivan’s interest for swimming started at just over the past few months. She is definitely the age of six when she watched her big sister and swimming at a completely different level now alumna Kristine Sullivan swim. Her sister was than she was just a few months ago,” Hineman on Sion’s swim team and now swims for Wagner said. College in Staten Island, New York. According to Magsamen, though she is

According to Sullivan, her favorite part very resolute and in the zone while swimming, of watching her sister swim was seeing how Sullivan takes the time to constantly make an naturally talented she was in the pool. Her and effort to cheer people up and push them towards her sister have a very similar attitude and they their goals. In between laps and on breaks, are both very competitive. They enjoy going to Sullivan makes jokes and laughs with her friends swim practice and getting work done then doing whom she refers to as her family. She lightens well at a meet and accomplishing their goals. and improves the moods of everyone around

“Even though when I started I was really bad, her which her naturally bubbly and friendly seeing Kate become such a talented swimmer personality does on its own without much of an and watching her beat people made me want to conscious effort. swim so much,” Sullivan said. “She inspires me to “She’s a good team leader, and she stands do my best and swim faster every day.” up to anyone and will make sure everyone feels By the age of eight she was on the same included and they know where they’re going,” competitive team, the Blazers, as her sister. Magsamen said. “She is very determined and Sullivan has been swimming for the team ever positive. She is always trying to cheer someone since. Because she has been swimming for the up if they’re down and can keep good spirits up.”

“Kate is eternally happy. We can’t get her to not be happy,” Coach Laura Hineman said. Sullivan’s hardest stroke is the breaststroke (center). “She has improved a lot by mostly changing her strokes and listening to her coaches,” Hineman said. Sullivan practices with the Kansas City Blazers at Roeland Park Aquatic Center. (Photos by Lucy Stofer)