Hotshots Liquid Courage: Swim and Dive Superstars

Sam Dorman, Marcos de Niza ’10,

is going for his fourth Arizona platform championship in a row this season. He has won the Nationals and had a top-five finish and has competed against Olympians at Senior Nationals.

Ashley Brewer, Chaparral ’10,

is an 8-time All-American, National and U.S. Open qualifier, an All-City, All-Region and All-State swimmer who broke the 4A state record in the 100 backstroke and holds region records in the 100 free and 100 back.

Liquid Courage

HotsHots editor Alexis GonzAlez, xAvier ’10, tAlks to tHree of tHe vAlley’s swim And dive superstArs

azTeen: How long have you been swimming or in your case, Sam, diving? Sam: I’ve been diving since I was 8 now, so 10 years. Katie: 10 years. Ashley: Since I was 5, so almost 13…dang!

azTeen: What drew you to this sport? Ashley: Honestly, my mom made me. Katie: I looove the water! Sam: After I quit gymnastics I took a diving class, and the coach was a diver at ASU and she told me to try out for the club team, so I did.

azTeen: Talk about a rockin’ bod! A gymnast and a diver? Sam: Well I have to be in shape. Divers want to have their athletic ability pretty high, because it helps out immensely. And we better be in shape – we aren’t wearing much clothing.

azTeen: Girls, what about you? Swimmers have pretty great physiques ... or so I have heard. Ashley: Oh yeah! Have you seen these guns?! Katie: I feel like mine’s kind of manly.

azTeen: How strict is your diet to keep up these awesome bodies? Katie: I’m not too strict, I don’t eat any fried food. I do drink soda, but not a lot, very minimal. Sam: I stick to one Big Mac a week. I try not to eat bad, but it just tastes so good! Ashley: Before big meets, I won’t eat an ounce of sugar. I’m a freak.

azTeen: What does your training schedule look like? Katie: I have practice nine times a week and then one meet a week on top of it. Sam: I dive Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday’s from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ashley: 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., then weights at 2, then swim from 3 to 6. Every stinkin’ day.

azTeen: Looks like it all pays off, you are three of the best in Arizona. So, tell us, how does it feel to win your event? Ashley: It is the best feeling in the world, I live for it! Nothing compares. Sam: It is awesome to know all that hard work has paid off. Katie: Shocking. azTeen: If you didn’t get into swimming or diving, or get so ridiculously amazing at it, what other sport would you be doing? Ashley and Sam: FOOTBALL! Sam: Or wrestling or baseball. Katie: I’d be running, like distance running.

azTeen: What is your main goal in life, or in this sport? Sam: My goal in diving is to make it to the Olympic trials and possibly the Olympics. Ashley: I have dreamed of being an Olympian since I was a little girl. However, the most important thing in my life is Jesus Christ. My goal is to use my swimming to lead others into faith. Katie: In life I want to be a doctor, and in swim, well I plan to swim through college. It’s a sport I can always do. I also plan to win the NCAA.

azTeen: Quick, chlorine or salt water? Katie: Chlorine! Ashley: Salt! It means surfing! Sam: Either-or. Chlorine dries the hell out of my skin and salt water taste like crap.

azTeen: Lastly, do you have any inspirational quotes? Sam: A wise man once washed his hands after he peed, a wiser man didn’t pee on his hands.

Katie Olsen, Desert Vista ’11,

is rated one of the top 50 swimmers in the world and is a member of the National Junior Team. She is DV’s MVP, holds state records and is state champ in the 100 breaststroke.