Sophomore Eleanor Kreitzberg has been surrounded by swimming since she was little.
She has been involved in swimming since the age of four when her parents enrolled her in lessons, and this year, she joined the swim team.
Kreitzberg wanted to join the team last year, but didn’t have time for it. Her reasoning was mainly because she felt that it would be fun, as well as for the purpose of carrying on the family tradition.
She said her dad, who swam in high school, is both her biggest supporter and her role model for the sport, as someone who is always willing to share his insights.
Although she has been swimming for a long time, this is the first time Kreitzberg has done so on a competitive team.
Learning new aspects of competition, such as diving off of a block, has been challenging. Kreitzberg said she struggles specifically with not belly flopping on the dive, but she is hopeful that this will improve with practice.
One thing that she enjoys about the La Salle swim program is the team that she has around her. She feels that the sport has helped her get to know more people, and she values how supportive her fellow swimmers are.
Kreitzberg specifically appreciates it when more experienced swimmers help her with their advice about strokes or other unfamiliar skills.
Kreitzberg also said that the coaches are all really helpful, mentioning that their ability to make sure that everyone understands directions shines through in their method for teaching new strokes.
Although the practices are difficult, Kreitzberg appreciates the fact that they get rest, especially in between the hard parts.
“It does feel good,” she said. “It’s obviously tiring, but it’s a good tired.”
In addition to swimming, Kreitzberg plays volleyball in the fall, and is hoping to play tennis in the spring.
Having many athletic commitments means getting schoolwork done can be a challenge. For this reason, hard work in both academics and sports is an important value to her.
She has interest in being a forensic scientist, since Chemistry is currently her favorite class, and her favorite teacher is Performing & Fine Arts Department Chair Mr. Otto Wild, her morning choir teacher.
Coming from Gardiner Middle School in Oregon City, a school that was more relaxed on homework, Kreitzberg said she had a “rough” transition to La Salle.
Still, she worked through it.
Kreitzberg’s academic goal this year is to “hopefully have an A in chemistry by the end of the year,” while her goal in swimming is to “dive off the block…without belly flopping or having my goggles come off,” she said.
When asked about advice for a prospective swimmer she gave two answers:
“Drink lots of water before and after practice, because cramps suck,” she said, and “just have fun.”
