NCC’s women’s swim continues to improve for this year’s season. Head coach Nora Schroedter, ’86, is a former member of the swim team herself. Schroedter has 35 years of experience coaching both men’s and women’s swim.
Here at NCC, Schroedter is the head coach of both swim teams. With her experience, the numerous improvements from the past season come as little surprise.
“I am most excited to have the opportunity to work with the women’s team this season. I am hoping to help the team reach their goals for this season,” said Schroedter.
Swimming in support
Schroedter leans into the camaraderie between both the men’s and women’s teams to help bring in support from both sides. This allows them to continue strengthening the sport’s overall dynamic and draw in positive attention for meets they have.
“I want to promote strong teamwork and camaraderie between both the men’s and women’s teams…the team enjoys coming over to the house for BBQs and breakfast. We also have been attending some football games, volleyball games and soccer games!” said Schroedter.
Overcoming Challenges
Victoria Robinson, ’26, gave insight into how the team is driven to push through any challenges that occur.
“As I get to know my teammates better, I will know what could make them feel better in stressful situations; they could need words of encouragement, something to take their mind off it or to talk them through what they are nervous about.” Robinson said.
Robinson offered her advice on emotionally encouraging the team. This includes balancing being a leader within the team’s atmosphere. For the competition, Schroedter shared which meet will challenge and best exemplify the women’s swim team’s improvement.
“I am looking forward to the Wheaton Invite. It is an opportunity for our team to have a quality meet and get some fast swim in before finals and winter break,” said Schroedter. “I was very happy to see the team back from summer break in good swimming shape ready to get the season started.”
Schroedter explained what steps she took to strengthen the team’s physicality in the water:
“We are offering more water practice times this season. They have more opportunities to get in practice swims,” she stated.
Swimming into healthy mindsets
Robinson led into what drives her and the team to become better.
“I would say that I have a good mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. When I am racing, I try to push myself to beat the person next to me. I know that I have worked hard to be where I am and gotten up early for too many mornings to lose,” Robinson said.
The motivation in strengthening the team and Robinson herself continues.
“When I am swimming, I really try to remind myself that I deserve to be here just as much as the other person, I have worked just as hard, and they don’t deserve it over me; I have to make it a fair fight. I am also extrinsically motivated, and if money or food is brought into it, I will want to win and get the reward,” Robinson explained.
Schroedter continues to help the team improve for each competition. Robinson explained her passion for the sport and why it remains such an integral part of competing.
“It is very important to stay motivated while doing the sport and staying in love with the sport. If you lose your love for it, then it won’t be fun anymore, and you will dread it. I still love swimming and there are days when it’s not just a sport, but a form of stress relief, and will take my mind off of school for the three hours that I’m in the pool,” said Robinson.
It is more than a sport but a way of living. Many people can appreciate the importance of doing something for the love of it rather than going through the motions to get it over with.
The women’s swim team’s next meet is Nov. 18 at Beloit College, with the following contest being at Wheaton College against Wheaton’s team on Dec. 1.
