McKinzie Halkola, WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight
Each week during the 2017-18 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, presented by Culver's, will be also posted every Thursday on the WIAC website.
Name: McKinzie Halkola
Institution: UW-Oshkosh
Hometown (High School): Wauwatosa, Wis. (Wauwatosa West High School)
Year In school: Senior
Sport: Women's Swimming & Diving
Major(s): Kinesiology (Emphasis in Exercise and Fitness)
Why did you choose to attend UW-Oshkosh?
UW-Oshkosh is about an hour away from my hometown, which I like because it's not too close but not too far. Aside from being able to swim on their college team, I also loved how many major choices UW-Oshkosh had offer. The campus is very welcoming, and it felt like my new home as soon as I toured it.
What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference?
I love how competitive I can be with the other teams. It's a huge motivating factor for me to have someone to chase after and try and beat, but not have them be too far out of reach. I also love how small the conference is. We only have five teams competing against each other at the championship meet, and I feel like the teams interact in a different way compared to other conferences. So many of my teammates, myself included, have high school friends they compete against who are on other teams in the conference. It's really cool to see those relationships carry over into college, even if we're not on the same team.
What is your favorite…
Flavor of the Day from Culver's? Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Menu item from Culver's? Sourdough Melt
Spot on campus? Albee Hall Pool, of course
Class? One of my kinesiology classes (Principles of Strength and Conditioning) because I really like the professor and the class has an interactive portion that I enjoy
Movie? While I don't follow too many of the Marvel movies, right now my favorite movie is Deadpool
TV Show? One Tree Hill
Food? Pizza or nachos
Professional Sports Team? Milwaukee Brewers
Hobby? I love to cook, especially for other people
Musical Group/Artist? I like most country songs, but I also really like artists like the Dirty Heads
Vacation Spot? While I have yet to visit, I would love to vacation in both Alaska and Greece some day
Quote/motto? "Better than yesterday." It was our team quote last season. It motivates me to push myself a little more each day. I've never really been the type of person to settle for something when more was attainable, but when I hear this saying, it reminds me that every single choice you make can count when you're trying to reach a goal.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
I would love to work in some sort of sports clinic, while looking into different grad school opportunities.
What is your greatest sports moment?
Surprising myself with how well I did in the 500-yard freestyle at the WIAC Championship last year. I had just started swimming the event a little before halfway through the season last year, so I was not expecting terribly much out of the race. Obviously, I was going to try my best and swim my own race, but it was a huge confidence booster to do so well. I think if I keep working hard, however, the best is yet to come.
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
I love when we have team hangouts, like movie nights or team dinners.
One word that describes the team?
Growing.
One word that describes yourself?
Motivated.
When you surf the web, the site you most often go to?
Netflix or Instagram. I just love looking at all of the memes, especially ones with dogs.
Three things on your "bucket list"?
Road trip to visit every state in the United States
Hike around Thailand
(cliché but…) Go skydiving
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event rituals? If so, what are they?
I always like to listen to music and sing, dance and jump around before my races, even though all of my teammates hate my singing. When I'm behind the blocks, I jump three times and kick each leg out to the side once.
What is your biggest "pet-peeve"?
People chewing loudly/with their mouth open.
Your worst habit is?
Procrastinating by making a to-do list instead of actually doing the stuff.
2017-18 UW-Oshkosh WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights
McKinzie Halkola • Women's Swimming & Diving