MONROE - Rachel Root is in her comfort zone when she is in the pool swimming the backstroke.
"It's the one that feels the best when I'm swimming," Root said.
The Monroe junior enters the WIAA Division 2 state swimming meet Friday at the University of Wisconsin's Natatorium for the third straight year with a legitimate chance to medal in the 100-yard backstroke. Milton junior Katelyn Holmquist, who was the state runner-up in the backstroke last year, enters with the fastest qualifying time (:56.88). Root is seeded fifth (:59.0) behind three swimmers from Milton.
"I know I will have to get a better time to make it on the podium," Root said. "Everyone gets pumped up for the state meet."
Root finished eighth at state last year in the backstroke, and she took 12th in the 100 butterfly. She's aware that the competition in the backstroke could work to her advantage.
"You know you will have to go that much faster to get a better time," she said of swimming against Holmquist and the other contenders. "I really want to get on the podium. As long as I get a better time, I would be happy with that too."
Whitefish Bay junior Annelise Sprau is the top returning finisher in the butterfly after taking third last year. She also has the fastest qualifying time this year entering the state meet. Root, who is seeded ninth in the butterfly (1:00.40), has a tough field to contend with if she is going to medal. The race for the title could come down to the wire, as six of the top 10 finishers from last year will return.
"Everyone is really fast," she said. "It will be very hard. I want to get under 1 minute. That is my main goal."
Root said she will be nervous, but excited, heading into the state meet Friday night. When she stands behind the blocks, she understands the hoopla that awaits her in a packed UW-Natatorium.
"I like the atmosphere," she said. "When you are behind the blocks and they announce your name and everyone cheers for you, it gets you excited and pumped up for your events."
"It's the one that feels the best when I'm swimming," Root said.
The Monroe junior enters the WIAA Division 2 state swimming meet Friday at the University of Wisconsin's Natatorium for the third straight year with a legitimate chance to medal in the 100-yard backstroke. Milton junior Katelyn Holmquist, who was the state runner-up in the backstroke last year, enters with the fastest qualifying time (:56.88). Root is seeded fifth (:59.0) behind three swimmers from Milton.
"I know I will have to get a better time to make it on the podium," Root said. "Everyone gets pumped up for the state meet."
Root finished eighth at state last year in the backstroke, and she took 12th in the 100 butterfly. She's aware that the competition in the backstroke could work to her advantage.
"You know you will have to go that much faster to get a better time," she said of swimming against Holmquist and the other contenders. "I really want to get on the podium. As long as I get a better time, I would be happy with that too."
Whitefish Bay junior Annelise Sprau is the top returning finisher in the butterfly after taking third last year. She also has the fastest qualifying time this year entering the state meet. Root, who is seeded ninth in the butterfly (1:00.40), has a tough field to contend with if she is going to medal. The race for the title could come down to the wire, as six of the top 10 finishers from last year will return.
"Everyone is really fast," she said. "It will be very hard. I want to get under 1 minute. That is my main goal."
Root said she will be nervous, but excited, heading into the state meet Friday night. When she stands behind the blocks, she understands the hoopla that awaits her in a packed UW-Natatorium.
"I like the atmosphere," she said. "When you are behind the blocks and they announce your name and everyone cheers for you, it gets you excited and pumped up for your events."
