Brooke Glesenkamp
DELAWARE
18 Senior 3.85 (National Honor Society) Swimming and track Has received scholarship aid to swim for Ohio State. Plans to major in exercise science.
Why exercise science and where do you want that to take you?
I’ve loved sports all my life and want to be a doctor or physical therapist. Growing up, I’ve had knee pain when I played basketball and loved going in there and working with the physical therapist.
Have you leaned on any trainer here?
Oh, yes. Amy Evans and Maggy Rule have really been great to me. I’ve worked with them because the impact of going from swimming to the pounding of track has been hard on my body. I’ve had shin splints and muscle pulls and they’ve helped so much. Last year, I had a stress fracture in my leg. My freshman year I told them that I wanted to be around sports medicine. They were ecstatic.
Swimming is such an unforgiving sport, right?
I get up at 4:15 in the morning to work out by 4:45. College practice starts at 6 a.m., so I get an extra hour of sleep (laughing). I started when I was 7 years old with a summer community league, the Delaware Aquatics Stingrays under Bill Rietz.
Do you remember the day Ohio State offered?
That was a special night. I took recruiting trips to Ohio State, Bowling Green, Akron and Eastern Michigan. The coaches came to our house for dinner and we talked. They offered on my recruiting trip, but that night is when I decided. There was a lot of excitement. Everyone was nervous going in because I was still undecided. We hung a Buckeyes flag and I committed the next morning.
You also have interest in music. When did you start playing violin?
The fourth grade. Our music program here is strong and I’ve loved it. I have class first period — right after swimming — and it’s difficult to hold up the instrument because you are so tired. We have a symphonic orchestra, and unfortunately our competition has been during the state swimming meet.
What else goes on in your life?
This past summer I volunteered to work with the 5- and 6-year-olds and under (with the Delaware Aquatics Stingrays). I had a volunteer internship with Rob Portman’s senate campaign in the fall. l’m involved with the St. Mary parish youth group and have been a counselor at Camp Heartland.
What were your duties for the Portman campaign?
We went door knocking and did surveys and made telephone calls to homes. You definitely meet interesting people along the way. The app we had on our phones marked homes that voted Republican. Some Clinton homes would say no and close the door.
What did you do at Camp Heartland?
Two seniors are chosen, a boy and a girl, and you are a counselor for three days in October. I had eight sixthgraders and it went just fine. One of the girls was a neighbor, so that made it more comfortable. It’s at a retreat center, and there were outdoor activities.
And your work at St. Mary’s with the youth group?
I got confirmed when I was in eighth grade and that puts you into the youth program. It’s like bible study in small groups. Speakers come in and talk. We also volunteer. It’s cool.
Who are the members of your family?
My dad (Steve) is the athletic director here. He was at Big Walnut for 30 years. My mom (Katy) is taking a year off from being a high school teacher. She has worked at Worthington Kilbourne and Thomas Worthington. I have a brother, Scott. He’s 12. There are 10-year-old twins, Kara and Stevie.