Katie Challoner, WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight
Each week during the 2015-16 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday on the WIAC website.
Name: Katie Challoner
Institution: UW-Oshkosh
Hometown and High School: Sun Prairie (Sun Prairie High School)
Year in school: Senior
Sport(s): Women's Swimming & Diving
Major(s): Nursing
Why did you choose to attend UW-Oshkosh?
I chose to attend UW-Oshkosh because it provided me with the wonderful opportunity to continue my swimming career while pursuing a degree in nursing. With nursing being such a difficult major, many schools I looked at preferred that I change my major to ensure that I could complete all four years of my eligibility. On the other hand, UW-Oshkosh was open to the idea of doing both at the same time and allowing me to pursue both of my passions.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete?
Being a student-athlete has allowed me to gain very strong time management skills. With being a full-time nursing student, I have to schedule in many hours of studying among the time I have committed to the swim team. This doesn't leave much room to spare, but I have learned to make it work through prioritizing, motivating myself, and organizing all parts of my life.
What is your favorite …
Flavor of the Day from Culver's? Red raspberry
Menu item from Culver's? Kids meal ButterBurger and fries
Spot on campus? Albee Hall Pool
Class? Nursing medical-surgical clinical
Movie? "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
Food? Sushi
Holiday? Christmas
TV Show? "Law & Order: SVU" and "Lost"
Quote/motto? "Everything happens for a reason."
What is your fantasy job/career?
Nurse. I am going into a field I have absolute passion for. Although the schooling is incredibly hard, I find all my classes very interesting and cannot wait to get out into the world and use my knowledge. Right now I am interested in oncology nursing and am excited to see where my future brings me.
What is your greatest sports moment?
I have had many memorable sports moments, but my favorite moment was during my sophomore year at UW-Oshkosh. At the conference championship that year I achieved my dream goal time of 1:05 in the 100-yard breaststroke and placed second! This was such an exciting experience for me because I have attended so many meets at the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center and had only dreamed of standing so high on that podium. It was an unreal experience. I couldn't have asked for more out of that meet because I was able to celebrate achieving my goals with my closest friends, who all were so supportive throughout that process and always were standing at the end of my lane during my races. I truly could have not done it without them.
What is your favorite thing to do out of the pool with your teammates?
Our team has a Thanksgiving dinner together each year. This is my favorite activity that we do together because it gives us the time to sit down and appreciate the company of one another. Swimming is not a particularly social sport because it requires you to be submerged in the water for 90 percent of the practice, so when there is an opportunity to sit down and talk to one another it is important to appreciate it.
One word that describes the team?
Spirited. The UW-Oshkosh swim team is the most energetic, passionate, and supportive group I have been a part of throughout my life thus far. We are a family that supports one another in and out of the pool and does it with the energy and enthusiasm needed to get through even the hardest times of life.
One word that describes you?
Motivated. There are not many things that I will allow to get in the way of achieving my goals, and I pride myself in putting in the effort needed to get to where I want to be.
If you could meet three people from throughout history they would be?
Ellen DeGeneres, Rebecca Soni and Emma Watson.
Your most prized possession is?
My phone. It has my entire life on it.
A non-athletic talent you have is?
I have played the saxophone since seventh grade and have loved every minute of it.
Your worst habit is?
Overthinking. I tend to overthink everything! From races in swimming to problems on exams, I like to overthink and get too nervous over aspects of life that I know I have the ability to overcome. I have to trust in myself more and trust that I can do whatever I set my mind to!
Other 2015-16 UW-Oshkosh WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights