Interview Transcript

  What is your favorite stroke?

-   Backstroke has always been my most favorite stroke, while I enjoying swimming just the general freestyle.


What is your best stroke?

–  My best stroke is also the backstroke. 

What is it like when you are standing behind the block getting ready for your race?

–  Standing behind the black creates a lot of anticipation. You go from being super excited to extremely nervous, to pumped to get in and go. It is the biggest rush besides being head on with someone your racing against. 


What is it like when you win a race?

–  Winning your first race in exhilarating. My first race I won I also made it to the section competition, I was in tears forever. But it was by far the best feeling in the world.

 
What is your favorite part about being on the swim team?

–  The friends you gain not only from your own team, but the others. Your set apart from everyone else and can relate to everybody in some way. It’s like having a very oversized family. Also the feeling you get after jumping out of the pool after practice or a race. It’s the best work out you can get. 


Why did you start swimming?

–  I originally wanted to join volleyball because I am very Closter phobic, but it was my friends who convinced me to just try it out. When I did, I fell in love with it.


How long have you been swimming?

–  I have been on a competition swim team for 6 years now.


How often do you practice?

–  I practice Monday-Friday swimming and/or diving for three hours each day. I also work out at the gym doing dry land. Which includes running and lifting weights, etc.

What is the best meet you have ever made the qualifying time for? Meaning have you made nationals or Olympic trials or something like that?

–  I have made it to state competitions for the 100 meter backstroke, 50 meter freestyle, 100 freestyle, 400 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, and diving. 


What do you do to pump yourself up before a race?

  – To get pumped up before a race my team mates and I do a ton of rants and cheers. One of our favorites goes “Give me an e, E! Give me an x, X! Give me an l, L! Give me an a, A! Give me an x, X! What’s that spell?! EXLAX! What’s that make you do?! GO GO GO!” Right before the race though, I like to jump in place, get my muscles warmed up, and do some stretches to get me loose, then I visualize the race. 


Do you think its better to relax before a race or jump around and get your energy flowing? – Jumping around and getting my energy going is what gets me relaxed for a race. Everyone does it. It keeps your mind off of the race in a way. 


What is your best dive?

 – my best dive is a double back somersault with a full twist.

How high have you dived from?

 – I have dived in just a general meter pool diving board, and also a platform dive. (the highest they go)

Did you win any competitions for diving?

– I did win several competitions in diving. Just this previous season I won all but one meet in diving. Which is very rewarding.

How often do you practice diving?

– I practice diving just as much as I practice swimming. Some days I need to practice diving more just to get something down, or learn a new dive. Whereas in swimming I just need to swimming a few lengths and be O.K.

What is the feeling right before you dive?

 – Right before I dive, it is very nerve racking, because I have hit the board before on my legs several times, on the center of my back, and my head. And you also never know what is going to happen. Everyone is watching you, and only you. But there is also that sense of anticipation to show everyone what you got!

Have you ever gotten injured diving?

 – I have never had to get stiches, or go to the doctor or hospital or anything. But I did have a scare hitting my back on the end of the diving board, my head and my legs several times. I got bumps, bruises, and scratches. Several times when I was trying to master a new dive or perfect one of my ‘not so good’ ones, I have slapped the water several times in a row, which has left some pretty nasty bruises. One time, I hit my back so my times, my whole back was black a blue for a week and half. 

Story 3

Robbery Victim

A robbery on Bonneville Drive in a convenience store parking lot was avoided due to Michele Schipper’s quick thinking. Schipper pulled into the convenience store parking lot around 4 pm in broad daylight. She suspects the burglar was hiding around the dumpster because she didn’t see anyone while pulling into the side parking space.

While the burglar approached he told Schipper, “Give me your purse.” As he got closer she reached into her vehicle to grab her purse, turned around, and kicked him in the groin. To make sure she had time to escape the situation she also gave him a roundhouse kick to the nose. A roundhouse is a kick in which the attacker swings his leg around in a semicircular motion, striking with the front of the leg or foot.

There weren’t any witnesses to the attempted robbery and when the police arrived the man was no longer there.

In the quick seconds of the robbery, Schipper didn’t have time to think but her first instinct helper her get away safely. With no prior judo or self-defense training, Schipper found the power to defend herself and escape the situation

Obituary

   Mary Schabert,  an intelligent young woman and great friend to all, was killed today in a tragic car crash in dowtown St. Paul.
   She was the fun age of 21 and enjoyed the night-life scene of Minneapolis. Mary graduated high school with honors and many academic achievements. She loved snowboarding and anything involving the outdoors. In the summer you could always find Mary by the water.
   Mary had just transferred from Anoka Ramsey Community School to the University of Minnesota. She loved school and was studying to become a business major. She will be missed by her many friends and family. No one will forget her radiant smile.
    She is survived by her mother Diane, brother John, and aunts and uncles. Visiting hours will be held March 31st from 10-11 a.m. at the St. Patrick Church; funeral service will begin at 11:30. All donations will go to a scholarship in Mary's name.

Story 2

    Sheriff Gus Dicesari is fighting Commission President Anne Chenn for money from the city. Dicesari accuses Chenn of “shortchanging” him and “…putting the lives of the people of this county in jeopardy.”
    Supporters of Dicesari, Raymond Laybourne and Anita Shenuski, agree that more money should go towards the police department and not towards the migrant workers coming into the community. Chenn knows that the migrant workers are a great component to the community and really add to the economy.
    Chenn said the county ran short of money due to $30 million spent on a new prison, higher fuel costs, and higher costs for employee’s health care. Chenn suggests postponing on buying new cruisers and more deputies, and just leaving the vehicles at the departments.
    The commissioners voted 5-2 against Dicesari’s request for additional money.