‘25
It is not a surprise that Katie Lawrence is a top athlete at Indian Hills and for the Wyckoff YMCA. After receiving swim lessons at the Wyckoff YMCA and participating in a small meet, the Aquatics Director took notice of Katie’s skill and encouraged Katie to try out for the Wyckoff Sharks. This encouragement would soon prove to be a great decision, as this marked the beginning of Katie’s multitude of feats on the regional and national levels.
Currently swimming competitively for the national team on the Wyckoff Sharks, Katie has shown significant growth over the years. When asked about the most challenging meets Katie has accomplished and overcome over the years, Katie responded, “YMCA states because of the amount of events and Winter Juniors because of the competitiveness. At YMCA states I swim around 7 individual events and 4 relays across three days, which turns out to be 18 swims when you make it back for finals.”
Aside from swimming in individual events on the national level, Katie also enjoys competing in group relays, acknowledging how it is “nice to place high individually but when it’s with a team it’s even sweeter.”
Katie naturally swims varsity for Indians Hills and has placed first in all events with record-breaking times, including freestyle, butterfly, and relay events. Out of all Katie’s enormous achievements, however, Katie says one of her greatest feats is “my girl’s 200 fr relay [and] getting second at YMCA Nationals this year. Getting 1st individually at nationals is also high up on my achievement list.”
Katie currently trains six days a week, two hours a day, and completes a one-hour dryland session before or after practice. Practices typically involve underwater work, kicking, and breath control. During practices, Katie likes to focus on “all four strokes, as well as the IMs.”
When asked about any figures that have contributed to Katie’s growth over the years, Katie responded: “My coaches have definitely shaped me into the swimmer and person I am today. I think my coaches do a great job of keeping things fun, which is really important when you’re in such a difficult individual sport. Yes you train together, but it’s all up to you to put in the work.”
Katie truly represents what it means to be a humble yet hardworking student and athlete at Indian Hills. Despite Katie’s large achievements at Indian Hills and at her club team on the national level, Katie still plays a key component in the team environment for Indian Hills Swimming. Continuing to grow and thrive as a swimmer, it is best to keep an eye out for Katie’s name during the swim season this year to see what she accomplishes next.
