Get To Know The Rappahannock Area YMCA Swim Team's Kayla Brumbaum

by Josh Huger (MrUtopia)

The Rappahannock Area YMCA Swim Team’s Kayla Brumbaum is this week’s featured swimmer. Kayla, a rising high school junior, recently capped off an outstanding Long Course season by getting her first Olympic Trial cut at YMCA Nationals.

In this SwimUtopia interview Kayla tells us about her biggest accomplishment in swimming and what some of her goals are for this upcoming season.

Let’s get started!


What team or teams do you swim for?

I swim for the Rappahannock Area YMCA (RAYS)


What records do you hold for both teams?

High School
50 Free
200 IM
100 Breast
200 Medley relay

Club
50 Free
50 Breast
100 Breast
200 Breast

If you are not a high school senior what colleges are on the top of your list as you get closer to making that big decision?

I thought I always knew where I wanted to go as I was growing up but now that I’m older I’m not really sure where I want to go. Some of the colleges I have in mind are The University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina State, and the University of Florida.  

What are some of your goals for this upcoming season?

a.    High school- Place first in the 100 breast at VA AAA high school states and break the national record.
    
    
b.    Club - To get stronger, be faster in and out of my turns, and to have more endurance.

What is the biggest meet that you have qualified for so far?

Olympic Trials

What would you say your biggest accomplishment has been in swimming? 

Being able to Coach my summer league team. I love that feeling of being able to give back what I have learned through out my years of swimming to those who want to learn.


What are your top times?

50 Breast   yards- 28.99
100 Breast yards- 1:02.63
200 Breast yards- 2:17.78

50  Breast  LC- 33.00
100 Breast LC- 1:11.94
200 Breast LC- 2:40.23


What motivates you day in and day out?

Knowing that I want to reach my goals and that I have many people supporting me along the way.


What do your coaches do to help set you up for success in and out of the pool?

I don’t know what I would do without my coaches. They support me 100%. They make sure my mind is set for every single race. They always give me positive thoughts before I swim and they also motivate me to do my very best every time I step into that pool.


What would you say is the hardest practice that you have ever done?

The hardest practice I have probably ever done was one this past summer. We started off doing 10 x 100’s sprint and you had to be within 5 sec of your best time. Then we did a 3,000 IM for time. After that we did 10 x 200 IM’s on 2:45

Do you have any pre-meet or pre-race rituals?

I always have to eat my sport beans before I swim a race. I also stretch the same exact way before I swim a race too.


What is your favorite pump-up band or artist to listen to before racing?

My favorite pre-race music is rap and Lil Wayne is definitely the best at getting me pumped up.

What are some things that people may not know about you?

I used to play soccer before I started getting serious about swimming.

I absolutely hate bugs and I wouldn’t be where I am today without my friends, family, and coaches.  

For more news and information be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter