Diving into the water, her fingertips gently break the surface. Her strokes are perfectly calculated to finish each lap with precision, speed, and grace. Seconds pass quickly on the overhead clock. Her body flows seamlessly with the water; her kicks are uniform and steadfast. The clock continues counting, but she halts gracefully as she reaches the pool’s edge. Kaitlyn Liu has just placed third in her 100 meter backstroke, qualifying her as one of the twenty-five top female swimmers of Nassau County.
Kaitlyn first stepped foot into the pool at the age of six and began swimming competitively at age nine. Her distinction comes as no surprise; in fact, swimming is in her blood. Kaitlyn’s mother was a professional swimmer for China’s national team. Naturally, all three of the Liu siblings have had impressive swimming careers as well. Senior Kaitlyn Liu’s dedication to swimming has set the foundation for a successful athletic career.
As an eighth grader, Liu qualified for varsity swimming and has been on the girls’ team since. Every year, she has qualified for States, All-Conference, All-County awards, and team MVP (for four years). This year, Kaitlyn was recognized by Newsday for her outstanding placements in the county and state championships, and she was included in the top 25 Long Island girls swimmers. She placed 6th in the 200-yard individual medley, and 3rd in the 100-yard backstroke at counties. At states, she placed 17th in the 100-yard butterfly and 13th in the 100-yard backstroke competitions. “I actually placed lower than I had hoped because I injured my rib during the varsity swim season,” Liu explains. “This season I’m healthy and shooting for higher placements—maybe even a school record or two!”
Swimming is no small commitment for Kaitlyn. In addition to South’s swim team, she trains with the Long Island Aquatic Club. “Varsity swimming is much different than club swimming. It’s a tighter-knit community, less individualistic, and feels more like a family,” says Kaitlyn. Practicing eight to nine times a week on top of two lifting sessions, Kaitlyn spends over twenty hours training every week. Three of her practices are held before school. “I used to dread practice. Sometimes I still do, but I try to find some joy within practice—whether it be from a song that plays, conversations with friends, or seeing a nice sunrise through the window.”
A large part of Kaitlyn’s career has been motivated by others’ opinions, improvement in the water, and college recruitment. Now, she works to find motivation through self-approval. “I’m trying to define success as making myself proud, rather than anyone else,” says Kaitlyn.
Swimming has also come at the expense of other experiences outside of the classroom. “I do have to make lots of sacrifices: not being able to study for a test, not being able to hang out with friends, etc,” Kaitlyn explains. “It’s a challenge, but sometimes I enjoy having a routine to stick to.” Despite the ups and downs, swimming has shaped Kaitlyn into who she is today. Her competitive nature, resilience, and determination are all a result of her swimming career.
As for the future, Kaitlyn is excited to announce her commitment to the University of Chicago for swim and dive. “I can’t wait to see what opportunities college swim will bring to the table,” Liu says. As for her plans after college, she’s not sure how swimming will factor into her life. Still, one thing is certain: Liu will never leave the water—it is her fuel.
