WIAC Spotlight - Hannah Forcey

Each week during the 2013-14 academic year, the WIAC will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its nine institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday, and individuals are selected by the institution.

Name: Hannah Forcey
Institution: UW-Oshkosh
Hometown & High School: Appleton, Wis. (East)
Year: Senior
Sport: Swimming & Diving
Major: Human Services Leadership

Why did you choose to be a Division III student-athlete?
I chose to be a Division III student-athlete because it gives me the opportunity to continue doing something I love. I have had a love for the water since I was a kid, and UW-Oshkosh allowed me to do that while focusing on my education goals.  

What do you like most about competing in the WIAC?
This Division III conference is awesome! Over the past four years, the conference has gotten so close. And at the end of the year, the WIAC meet is always a great time. There's so much energy and cheering. My last one will definitely be bittersweet.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete? 
I have learned a lot about myself from being a student-athlete, but the greatest lesson I took away from it all is the ability to have determination and discipline. There are always those days when you want to throw in the towel and call it quits, but being a student-athlete has taught me to never give up. It's never easy practicing four hours a day, but in the end, it's worth everything.   

Who has been the most influential person in your athletic career?
I can't say just one person. I have had amazing support from numerous people throughout my athletic career – my parents, my sister, my boyfriend, my awesome coach and my amazing teammates.

If you have been involved in community service projects, which project has been the most rewarding and why?
Every year the UW-Oshkosh men's and women's teams work with the Wisconsin Special Olympics program. We host a "Grudge Match" between Team Blue and the UW-Oshkosh teams in Albee Hall. It's an awesome experience and a great opportunity to bring both teams together.

If you could meet any athlete, who would it be and what one question would you ask them? 
I would want to meet Ryan Lochte and ask him what happened to his show.

What is your greatest sports moment? 
My greatest sports moment so far would have to be from the Jean Freeman Invite in Minnesota last year. I had my best time in the 100-yard freestyle, and I was just so happy.

What is your favorite TV show?
I don't think I have a favorite show, but I love "The Hunger Games" – maybe too much.

What are your favorite foods?
Watermelon, coffee, salmon, hotdogs, Doritos.

If you could live any place in the world, where would it be?
If I could live anywhere, it would be somewhere tropical. I love warm weather and being surrounded by water – so the Bahamas, Jamaica or the Dominican Republic. But my heart will always stay in Wisconsin.

What does your "bucket list" include?
Swim with dolphins, jump off the high dive at Albee Hall, stay at The Atlantis in the Bahamas, get a tattoo, see the Northern Lights, scuba dive, whitewater raft, run a half-marathon, go deep sea fishing and be able to salomon ski.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Invisibility! I just think that would be awesome. I can think of a few times that superpower would've come in handy. 

How would your teammates describe you?
Outgoing, energetic, hardworking, caring and friendly.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event rituals? If so, what are they?
I love to get pumped up by music and dance with my teammates. Currently the pre-meet song is "Gas Pedal," but it changes week to week.

What is your dream job? 
My dream job is to use my human services degree to work as a case manager, either in a healthcare setting or with troubled youth. I am interning right now at Mercy Medical Center, and I'm looking forward to another internship in January. We'll see where my life takes me come May!

Previous WIAC Spotlights

Jordyn Bratel (Volleyball)

Nazar Kulchytskyy (Wrestling)

Cole Myhra (Football)