MONROE - Rachel Root will continue her illustrious swimming career after signing a four-year, Division I scholarship to attend Illinois State University.
Root, a senior at Monroe, is a four-time WIAA Division 2 state qualifier. This past season she finished third place at state in the 100-yard backstroke and sixth in the 200 individual medley. She owns school records in the 100 backstroke (58.38) and the 200 IM (2:13.33). She broke Abby Mayer's 12-year-old school record in the 200 IM at state in the fall. She has also qualified for YMCA Nationals three times.
"I really decided this past summer that I was going to swim in college," Root said. "I always had it in the back of my mind. It shows that hard work definitely pays off. The teammates and coaches who have helped me every season get to this point I wanted to be."
Root looked at seven colleges for swimming, but she said her decision was based on which school had a strong speech therapy program as well as being a small- to medium-sized school.
"It felt like a good fit for me," Root said of Illinois State, which has an enrollment of about 18,600 but offers a small college feel with a quad in the center of the university in Normal, Ill.
"The whole atmosphere feels really nice," Root said. "I'm really excited to go there. Their team is really academics-based too. That really drew me in. They are ranked No. 22 in the country for GPA."
Illinois State swimming and diving coach Steve Paska expects Root to contribute in the backstroke and IM.
"Rachel is truly dedicated to the sport of swimming, and her work ethic has been great throughout her career," Paska said. "Rachel will come in and contribute in the backstroke and IM events. She is coming in with a lot of events she can swim and that makes her a versatile swimmer. She is a gifted student, and we are excited to have her join the Redbirds."
Root will have a preview day at Illinois State in Normal, Ill. in mid-August. She's looking forward to fitting in any way she can for the Redbirds, who signed six other swimmers including Waukesha's Maddie Farrell.
In high school, Root's top event was the 100 backstroke, but she knows that she may be asked to contribute elsewhere at Illinois State.
"The coach is very knowledgeable," Root said. "They are looking at mixing up my events. That could all change in college. I don't know what I will swim yet."
Root plans to swim with the Green County YMCA Golden Gators this summer. She's excited to work with Gator coach Emily Pisula, who swam at the University of Wisconsin. This will be Root's final summer swimming for the Gators.
"It will be kind of sad," Root said. "I wish I could stay longer. The best thing I can do is keep swimming and practicing."
Root, a senior at Monroe, is a four-time WIAA Division 2 state qualifier. This past season she finished third place at state in the 100-yard backstroke and sixth in the 200 individual medley. She owns school records in the 100 backstroke (58.38) and the 200 IM (2:13.33). She broke Abby Mayer's 12-year-old school record in the 200 IM at state in the fall. She has also qualified for YMCA Nationals three times.
"I really decided this past summer that I was going to swim in college," Root said. "I always had it in the back of my mind. It shows that hard work definitely pays off. The teammates and coaches who have helped me every season get to this point I wanted to be."
Root looked at seven colleges for swimming, but she said her decision was based on which school had a strong speech therapy program as well as being a small- to medium-sized school.
"It felt like a good fit for me," Root said of Illinois State, which has an enrollment of about 18,600 but offers a small college feel with a quad in the center of the university in Normal, Ill.
"The whole atmosphere feels really nice," Root said. "I'm really excited to go there. Their team is really academics-based too. That really drew me in. They are ranked No. 22 in the country for GPA."
Illinois State swimming and diving coach Steve Paska expects Root to contribute in the backstroke and IM.
"Rachel is truly dedicated to the sport of swimming, and her work ethic has been great throughout her career," Paska said. "Rachel will come in and contribute in the backstroke and IM events. She is coming in with a lot of events she can swim and that makes her a versatile swimmer. She is a gifted student, and we are excited to have her join the Redbirds."
Root will have a preview day at Illinois State in Normal, Ill. in mid-August. She's looking forward to fitting in any way she can for the Redbirds, who signed six other swimmers including Waukesha's Maddie Farrell.
In high school, Root's top event was the 100 backstroke, but she knows that she may be asked to contribute elsewhere at Illinois State.
"The coach is very knowledgeable," Root said. "They are looking at mixing up my events. That could all change in college. I don't know what I will swim yet."
Root plans to swim with the Green County YMCA Golden Gators this summer. She's excited to work with Gator coach Emily Pisula, who swam at the University of Wisconsin. This will be Root's final summer swimming for the Gators.
"It will be kind of sad," Root said. "I wish I could stay longer. The best thing I can do is keep swimming and practicing."
