Freshman Elise Hornburg, along with Ava Schnieder, Cameryn Cavazos and Finley Harroff, broke the school record for the 200 free relay at the varsity girls regional swim meet and are going to state.
Q: Can you tell me about how you first got into swimming? What inspired you to start?
A: I’ve been swimming since a very young age. From the moment I started swim lessons when I was three, an interest was immediately sparked. After my swim lessons, I would always want to stay and watch the swim team do their practice. When I moved to Texas I joined my first summer swim team which is where I found my love to compete. Soon enough I was racing for club and now I have the gift of racing for my high school. I think back to all those girls I watched when I was little, they played a big part in inspiring me to do what I do today.
Q: What has been the hardest part of your journey to get where you are now?
A: I would say the hardest part of the journey has been stuff that’s happening more recently. Having to balance club and high school at the same time is very difficult, and when you get to a certain speed, it’s difficult to get faster. The hardest part was seeing myself not drop time and keep adding even though I was putting in so much work. I knew though, that sometimes you hit that point where it’ll be hard, but results will come soon.
Q: What goals did you set for yourself coming into this season, and how did they compare to what you’ve achieved so far?
A: My immediate goal was to make it to state in some way, shape, or form, and to break a school record. I have now achieved those goals, and nothing can compare to it. It is beyond believable that I have achieved these goals. I knew going in that it might not happen, but I kept telling myself I could make it happen.
Q: How did it feel when you first realized you had broken the school record?
A: We went into prelims hoping to break the record, and we ended up because just off the record. We talked to Coach and we all just kept saying “tomorrow.” Finals came around the next day, and we all were super nervous and excited for what was going to happen. We all put our hardest into that race and when our anchor hit the wall, and we looked up and saw that we had gotten it, we couldn’t have been happier. We all were high fiving and so happy that we had finally broken the record after trying so hard.
Q: Can you walk me through your race that broke the record? What went right, and how did you push through?
A: We had just started a break, and we were all starting to group up and we huddled together and we talked about what we needed to do. We got behind the block, adrenaline running through us all, we all knew what we needed to do. I was the second leg so I didn’t know what our first leg clocked in at, but I hit the wall and I had gone the fastest I had the entire meet. It is a very quick race and I almost blank out the entire race and just give everything I got. Both of our last legs went fast and we hit about .2 seconds under the record. I pushed through by telling myself we had to get to state, we had to get that record. I pushed through by telling myself that even if we didn’t get it, my teammates and coaches would be right there supporting me.
Q: Do you feel the pressure of breaking a record, or does it motivate you to push even harder?
A: I personally use the record to push me even harder. I’ve never really seen it as pressure. I knew going into the race that we could break the record and I would get to be a part of that. It pushed me to my absolute limit. It’s a big motivator because you just want to be a part of that big moment.
Q: What does it mean to you to qualify for state as a freshman?
A: I’m very happy and pleased with myself for making state as a freshman because I know it doesn’t happen to all freshmen. It truly is a gift to go and represent my school at the highest meet we can make it to. It means so much to me that I am able to do that.
Q: How are you preparing for the upcoming state competition? Are there any specific strategies you plan to use?
A: I am preparing for this meet by really focusing on my technique for my race. More importantly I’m working on my fueling and my rest. A little mistake can cause you the whole race, so my coaches and I are really working towards getting a good technique so I don’t have that little slip up. You also need to keep your body fueled so you can have enough energy to race, so I’m working on what I need to eat and what I will eat. I’m also working on getting more rest which will also contribute to my energy.
Q: Do you have any particular goals for state, or is it more about the experience for you this year?
A: I personally have the goal to break our record again and go even faster than we did at regionals. Other than that, it’s really about the experience. It’s the biggest meet we will be at, and the experience is going to be way different from any other swim meet we have done.
Q: Who has been your biggest support system throughout your swimming career, and how have they helped you get to this point?
A: My biggest support system has been my mom and teammates. My mom is always the one motivating me, driving me to practices, driving me to meets, letting me decide what I want to do, always there for me after a good or bad race. She has helped me get to this point by not letting me give up when I hit one rough patch. My teammates are also a great support system. Whether I swim good or bad, someone will be hugging me after my race. They help to let me know that some time on the board isn’t all that matters in life.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals in swimming?
A: My long term goals in swimming are to swim in college whether it be a division one or division three college. I just hope my spark will never die for this sport. More goals I have are to beat some other school records and to make it to state every year.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
A: Swim has been such a joyous experience and even if that ended at regionals, I would still be so grateful for all my teammates and coaches around me. We are all a big family, and I’m so glad to be representing my school. It truly is a great opportunity.
