Champion’s will to win 2nd to none
Sophomore Lucie Nordmann defended her title in the 100-yard backstroke and added a gold medal in the 50 freestyle at the Class 6A state meet, bringing her total medal count to seven (three gold, two silver, two bronze) and helping The Woodlands girls go from fourth last year to second in the team standings.
Q: You won your first gold medal as a freshman. Did you expect to have that type of success right away?
A: Going in, I just wanted to score points for our team and, really, just swim my best time, so I was really happy that I pulled off the win for The Woodlands, (but) it definitely put a little bit more pressure on me for this season.
Q: How important to you is the team’s success?
A: It means a lot to represent the team. The team atmosphere makes it so fun for everybody, and that’s what makes me enjoy swimming as much as I do. Q: Your coach describes you as a racer who hates losing as much as winning. Is that accurate? A: That’s very accurate. I’m definitely very competitive and I always want to get my hand on the wall first.
Q: What makes you an elite backstroker?
A: Body type definitely does have something to do with it, especially my height. I’m 6 foot, so that really helps me in backstroke.
Q: You’ve qualified for the Olympic Trials in June in Omaha, Neb., in the 100 and 200 back. How much are you looking forward to that meet?
A: I’m really excited about it, and nervous, too, but you have to go into it thinking it’s just another swim meet to take some pressure off yourself and try not to freak out. But I’m really, really excited to go do it. Jason McDaniel is a freelance writer.
WHAT HIGHLANDERS COACH KENT KIRCHNER SAYS: “She hates to get beat, and I like people like that. Everybody wants to win, but I want the people who hate to get beat. She’s got that type of attitude, and she prepares well. She’s just a hard-core racer.”