ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Taylor Kitayama

Sophomore swimmer
Taylor Kitayama and The
News-Letter sports section
go together like Peanut
Butter and Jelly.
Not a week goes by
where The News-Letter
does not cover Kitayama
in some way and for good
reason.
For the past two years,
this sophomore from Boulder,
CO has been dominant
both in the pool and in the
classroom.
This past weekend at
the Bluegrass Mountain
Conference Championship,
Kitayama added even
more honors to her already
stellar career. Along with
being named the BGMC
Swimmer of the Year, she
helped lead her team to
818 points and their second
consecutive conference
title (fifth all-time).
Taylor paved the way
with three individual titles
in the 100 Fly, the 100 Back
and the 200 Back. Kitayama
was also part of three
record setting team titles.
In the 400 Medley Relay,
her 100 Back split set a
school record with a time
of 55.04 seconds; in the
200 Free Relay she helped
Hopkins set a team school
record finishing in 1:34.97;
and in the 200 Medley Relay
Kitayama was again
part of a Hopkins record
setting relay with a time
of 1:43.93.
Kitayama will also be
representing Hopkins this
upcoming March in Indianapolis,
IN for the NCAA
Playoffs. We were lucky to
sit down with her amidst
her busy schedule and ask
a couple of questions.
The News-Letter (N-L):
How do you feel this season
went as a whole? Did
you and the team do what
you set out to accomplish?
Taylor Kitayama (TK):
Our head coach's quote:
"unbelievably expect the
unexpected" sums this
season up very well. We
had an unbelievable season
both in terms of team
dynamics and fast swimming.
We started off the
season setting a goal to
win the Blue Grass Mountain
Conference championship
title again, and that's
exactly what we accomplished
this past weekend.
We wanted to be a group
of people who work hard,
swim fast and have fun
together, and I would definitely
say that we did just
that.
N-L: In which events are
you advancing in the playoffs?
What do you need to
improve upon to put yourself
in the best position to
win? And which event are
you looking forward to
most?
TK: At NCAAs next
month, I will be competing
in the 100 Butterfly, 100
Backstroke and 200 Backstroke
individually, as well
as the 200 and 400 medley
relays as the Backstroker.
In order to do my best,
I need to
work on my
s t r e n g t h
and endurance.
I am
most looking
forward
to the relays
- relays
are always
very high
energy because
your
team is
right there
b e h i n d
the block
with you
and you're
all swimming
more
for each
other than
you are for
yourself.
N-L: Best
part of this
season so far?
TK: Our training trip
to Florida is always a major
highlight. It's the time
when we really get to
know one another and our
team chemistry really solidifies. This past week at Conferences
also stands out
in my mind. We had such
a great meet - nearly everyone
swam personal best
times, and, needless to say,
being named Conference
Champions for the second
year in a row was very rewarding.
N-L: Any spring break
plans yet? How about the
summer?
TK: We'll be in Indianapolis
for the majority of
spring break at NCAAs,
so those are some pretty
exciting plans! As for the
summer, I'll most likely
be sticking around here,
trying to survive the Baltimore
heat, maybe taking a
class or two.
N-L: How do you mentally
prepare before a race,
and which song is on your
iPod?
TK: I do a "think
through" before every
race. I find a quiet spot
and think through every
part of my race, from
start to finish,
seeing myself
executing a
perfect swim. I
also have a few
of my favorite
verses in my
head (Philippians
4:13 and
1 Corinthians
10:31) to calm
and focus my
mind. I actually
don't own an
ipod. . .surprise!
(Laughing)
N-L: Favorite
movie?
TK: The Ultimate
Gift. Or any
of the old Disney
movies.
N-L: Favorite Food?
TK: Ice cream - any
kind, any flavor - is my
greatest weakness.