Amanda Siehs, a senior who attends UW-Milwaukee, hit a monumental milestone in her swimming career. On June 19, 2016, she competed in a time trial meet where she qualified for the Olympic Trials with a time of 26.08 (seconds) in the 50 meter freestyle (long course.)
Both being alumnae from the Menomonee Falls/Sussex Hamilton Swim and Dive team, Siehs and I sat down together to reminisce about our days of swimming. Being on the 200 meter and 400 meter freestyle relays together, I always admired Siehs for her work ethic, natural talent, and amazing ability to recover after injuries.
Now four years later, I saw a mature, extremely driven and determined young woman sitting across from me as we enjoyed some very delicious tacos.
Sarah Rose Werner: At what age did you start swimming?
Amanda Siehs: I started synchronized swimming first when I was 9 years old. After two years of that, I decided to try "competitive swimming" for the summer to build up endurance for synchro. When I was 11 years old, I made the decision to switch from synchro to competitive swimming.
SRW: Swimming has been such a big part of your life for so long now, how have you kept your love for the sport alive?
AS: I have always loved the water, my mom had me in the pool at six months-old. No matter how old I got I always wanted to be in a pool. What has motivated me through all of these years of swimming is just always trying to beat my previous best times and/or qualify for a certain meet.
SRW: What has been one of your favorite memories that swimming has given you?
AS: One of my favorite memories that swimming has given me would have to be when I was 14 and qualified for the Central Zone Championship. At this particular meet each swimmer from Wisconsin didn't represent their club team, we were all Team Wisconsin together. Swimming at the meet was fun, but getting to know other swimmers from around the state and making a couple life-long friendships was the best part.
SRW: You swim for UW-Milwaukee; what has it been like swimming in college?
AS: At the beginning of my college swim career, I swam for Boise State but became so homesick and depressed that I transferred home to UW-Milwaukee and couldn't be happier with my decision. Practices, both in the pool and in the weight room, are challenging, the coaches are amazing, and the team is just like one big family. We all pretty much do everything together.
SRW: Have you been actively training for the Olympic Trials? Or has your college career been more of your priority?
AS: The Olympic Trials have always been a goal of mine since I started swimming. Throughout the past four years it has always been in the back of my mind and motivating me to get through every practice. I would have to say that my college career training took priority during the season (September-February) and then during the summer, my focus shifted to the Trials.
SRW: What does an average week look like for you when you’re training?
AS: Sleep. Eat. Swim. Repeat.
SRW: People are often discouraged of pursuing their dreams when it comes to sports. How did it feel to have all your hard work pay off when you qualified for the Olympic Trials?
AS: After missing my Trials cut for so long, I decided I wanted to take a small break. However, there happened to be a "last chance" time trial which at that time was about two weeks away. I brought it up to my coach and he told me to do it. After thinking about it, I decided to go through with it because then I knew I would have done everything I could do. When I was at the meet I think I was the calmest I've ever been, besides when I had to put my fast suit on (it was brand new and it took about 40 minutes to get on). Once I got out of the locker room, I realized I didn't have much time to get ready so I did my warm-up and got ready as quickly as I could. Then the time came to go behind the block. As I walked back I kept telling myself, "Whatever happens, I did everything I could." From the start of the race to the finish, I don't remember what I was thinking. When I finally touched the wall I just stared at the touchpad and all of a sudden heard my coach yelling. As I turned around, I saw my teammates running down the side of the pool and that's when I looked up at the scoreboard and realized I finally did it. I got out of the pool and just started crying. It was the greatest feeling in the world to know that I had finally achieved my dream goal.
SRW: As your former teammate, it is incredible to see you succeed in the way you have. What advice to have for people chasing their dreams?
AS: No matter what sport you are competing in, there are going to be ups and downs. There are going to be times that you may even want to quit, but think about the first time you ever jumped in a pool or picked up a volleyball, basketball, etc. Do it for the little kid that fell in love with the sport and had unrealistic dreams at the time, because if you keep working hard, those once "unrealistic and crazy" dreams may actually come true.
Congratulations once again to Amanda Siehs and the rest of the athletes that qualified for the Olympic Trials! Here is the broadcast schedule for all the swimming events, happening from June 26, 2016 to July 3, 2016.
