Winter Sports Q&A – Riverside Part 1

Winter sports are back in action at Riverside High School. The most popular right now are Basketball and Swimming.

We had a chance to catch up with some of the athletes from each of these teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the season ahead and their plans for the future.

This is part three of a four part series featuring area athletes in winter sports.

Our Riverside Part 2 winter sports Q&A segment is coming Monday. View Ellwood City Part 1 and Ellwood City Part 2 in our series

Caelyn Ludwig

School? Riverside

Sport? Swimming

Grade? 12

How many years have you have played? 2

What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season? I’m looking forward to all of our home meets, a majority of our season meets are home

How do you hope to improve this year? I hope to improve by continuing daily practice and pushing myself through the more difficult sets

What do you feel is your biggest strength? My biggest strength is being motivational for the younger swimmers I swim with

What is your favorite part of it? I love working and improving with my team. This team is one of the best teams I’ve ever been fortunate to be a part of.

Who do you feel is your biggest rivalry this upcoming season? I personally don’t have a rival. I feel as though all the competition we are going to face will be rivalry.

What have you and the team been doing to prepare for the season? In preparation for the season, we practice daily, help each other improve, and always try to have a positive attitude.

What has been your favorite memory been over the years? Some of my favorite memories since I started swimming are our trips to McDonald’s after home meets, bus rides, and the laughs we share on the pool deck.

What will you miss about playing your sport after graduation? I will miss being a part of the team itself and I’m going to miss how exhilarating swimming makes me feel.

What are your future plans after graduation? I plan to go straight to work after graduation to give myself some time to decide which direction I want to in. I’m leaning towards trade school, but I will likely change my mind until then.

Do you plan to continue to play sports after high school? I do not plan to play any sports after graduation.

Gavin Frederick

School? Riverside

Sport? Swimming

Grade? 12

How many years have you have played? 4 Varsity, but 13 years total

What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season? This season the team and myself have set high goals and expectations for us, and I’m looking forward to achieving those goals.

How do you hope to improve this year? This season I hope to improve in the 500 freestyle and make it to states

What do you feel is your biggest strength? I would say my biggest strength is that I take initiative.

What is your favorite part of it? My favorite part of swimming is being with the team.

Who do you feel is your biggest rivalry this upcoming season? West Allegheny

What have you and the team been doing to prepare for the season? To prepare for this upcoming season, we have tried to get everyone to continue their training in the off season

What has been your favorite memory been over the years? My favorite memory over the years would have to be our trip to states sophomore year.

What will you miss about playing your sport after graduation? I will miss the team environment for sure.

What are your future plans after graduation? I plan to attend Pitt to major in Biological Sciences on the Pre-Medical Track

Do you plan to continue to play sports after high school? I do not plan to continue swimming after high school; however, I would love to coach it.

Michael J. Styn

School? Riverside

Sport? Swimming

Grade? Senior

How many years have you have played? 10 Total, 4 Varsity

What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season? We’re going to 2 extra invitational meets this year that we’ve never attended in my previous years. The competition is my favorite part, so I’m very excited for those.

How do you hope to improve this year? I hope to improve my versatility across events I haven’t competed much in the past and add to our team scores at championship meets

What do you feel is your biggest strength? Leadership and my ability to race in big moments

What is your favorite part of it? Relays, because I get to compete with my teammates and contribute to our team score as a whole.

Who do you feel is your biggest rivalry this upcoming season? Blackhawk

What have you and the team been doing to prepare for the season? This season I focused on more off-season lifting, joint mobility, and in depth planning for season goals with my coach.

What has been your favorite memory been over the years? Winning the section title my freshman and sophomore years

What will you miss about playing your sport after graduation? The boys I’ve swam with since 3rd grade

What are your future plans after graduation? Attend a college or university to major in exercise science and business administration

Do you plan to continue to play sports after high school? Yes, I hope to continue swimming in college.