The Tartan senior talks about her love of the butterfly.Most memorable moment: The first time I ever swam the 50 butterfly was in a junior varsity 200 medley relay. I got a better time than some of the varsity girls. It felt as though I was skipping over the water and I have swam it every meet ever since.

How important is swimming? The pool is where I take all my emotions and turn them into positives. A bad day turns into a solid set, and a good day gets better.

To get prepared for a meet: I get everything ready to go except put on my suit and I take a power nap for 20 minutes.

What is your favorite event? The 50 butterfly in the 200-yard medley relay, by far.

One small tip before a big meet: Pretend that after every turn when you push off the wall you are just diving in at the start again: full speed, full power and nothing holding you back.

What aspect of practice makes you groan: Breaststroke. I swam it once my first meet ever, and all my coach did was look at me and say 'never again.' I can have perfect form, but I just don't go anywhere!

Secret talent: I love flying. I am working toward getting my private pilot license.

One sacrifice during the season: I don't do my hair in the morning. I just let it do whatever it wants.

If you couldn't swim, what would you do? If I couldn't be a fish, I would be a bird.

JIM PAULSEN