Stillwater senior Paul Knaak has a knack for success in the pool. Knaak is a pivotal part of the Stillwater boys' swim team, which is undefeated in conference play. He ranks sixth in the state in the 50-yard freestyle and 17th in the 100 freestyle.
What can you attribute your swimming success to? I just generally dedicate myself fully, work really hard and I don't slack off.
What is your swimming style? I'm a sprinter so I give it everything I have in a short period of time.
Proudest swimming moment: Two weeks ago at the True Team state meet I won the 50 freestyle [while breaking the 50 freestyle meet record]. I was surprised, I didn't know I was ahead, and then I looked up and realized I won.
Is swimming in your plans beyond high school? My first choice is to go to West Point in New York [for swimming], but you have to get nominations from congressmen. If not, I got a full offer to go to St. John's.
When did you get started swimming? I was probably six. My older brothers all swam so I just got started with it.
How do you balance swimming and school? I definitely have a lot of late nights of doing homework. I try to live by the Winston Churchill's quote: "If you are going through hell, keep going."
Biggest swimming challenge? Sometimes it's difficult to go against kids that are distance swimmers. I beat them on the first 50, but it's hard on the second 50 to keep the lead.
