Swimming is often considered an individual sport, but Arapahoe senior captain Anna Wetzel feels differently.

Wetzel holds one individual Centennial League and school record and is a member of two record Warriors relay foursomes, but she never forgets about the team.

“Swimming is like an individual sport but it is really not,” said Wetzel. “It’s more for me. I swim for everyone. It is difficult for some of the girls to understand,especially some of the club swimmers.

“They have built it into their brains that `I am swimming for me and I need this time.’ It’s not that mmy team needs me to win so that we can win the meet.’

“I really started to notice when I started high school that it became prevalent that club is more individualized,” she continued. “For me personally I swim a lot faster when I know that I’m doing it for my team rather than for myself.”

Key stats

Wetzel holds the league and school record of 1:04.51 in the 100 breaststroke. She is part of the school record 200 freestyle (1:35.44) and 200 medley relay (1:46.16) teams.

COACH’S TAKE:

`She is a senior captain, a great person and very committed to the Arapahoe swimming program.’

Mike Richmond,

Arapahoe girls swim coach

Q&A with Wetzel

Who is your favorite athlete and why?

Missy Franklin because she swam at Regis and lived in the neighborhood next to mine. In the summer she would practice at the pool where I practiced and I looked up to her because she was so kind. She always said hi to us even though we weren’t supposed to talk to her because she was an Olympian and had to focus on her training.

What or who motivates you most to excel in sports?

My team. I know they will always be there for me no matter what happens,

What are your plans after high school?

I am going to swim at the University of Hawaii and plan to study kinesiology. I can’t imagine me not doing something involved with sports. I want to be able to help people, especially athletes.

What habits to you have before a race?

I normally slap my legs before a race to get kind of warmed up and then I will shake my arms. And when they say step on the blocks, I clap my hands twice. I feel like if I don’t clap I’m not ready for the race.

What is your favorite food?

My grandmother is from Italy and my mom makes her pasta sauce and I love it.

What is important for a good time in the 100 breaststroke?

Making sure you are pulling a lot of water and you need to make sure you are really powerful and going as fast as you possibly can.