Get To Know Lock Haven University's Brittany Rehrig

by Josh Huger (MrUtopia)

Lock Haven University’s Brittany Rehrig is this week’s featured swimmer. Brittany, who is currently a junior, has enjoyed many successes thus far with the Lady Eagles.

Her successes have come in the form of multiple all-American honors, seven school records, and two Academic All – American honors.

In this SwimUtopia interview Brittany tells us about her biggest accomplishment in swimming and what she considers to be the hardest practice she has ever completed.

Let’s get started!

What made you choose Lock Haven University?

In every aspect, Lock Haven was a great fit for me. It is the perfect sized university with a nationally accredited Elementary Education program. Pennsylvania has a great reputation for teaching programs, which attracted me to several PSAC schools. LHU was set apart from the rest because of the women’s swimming program. Coach Andy Waeger was one of the main selling points. When I went on a recruiting trip in September of my senior year, I knew immediately that I would fit in perfectly with the girls on the team and benefit from Andy’s coaching style. After being at the Haven for 2 and a half years now, I can say that I am extremely satisfied with my decision.

What other schools did you look at during your recruiting process?

When looking at colleges, I knew I didn’t want to be too far away from home. I could easily cross University of Tampa off of my list because of this. University of Delaware was one of my top options because it is only a few miles from home, but it was way too big of a school for me. I knew I wanted to swim and checked out schools in all 3 divisions because I wanted to explore all of my options. I really liked the PSAC and Division II level, so East Stroudsburg and Millersville were other choices. However, I knew Lock Haven was the perfect match after visiting.

What is it like training with everyone at LHU?

When I first came to LHU, I didn’t know what it would be like to train with only girls. I was used to being in a lane with mainly guys in high school. However, I think that an all-girls team brings us all so much closer. It is like training with 23 of your sisters. We all push each other at practice, and we are surrounded by a positive atmosphere. We are very united and supportive of each other in and out of the pool. A typical swim practice includes lots of laughs, encouraging cheers, pump-up music, and everyone pushing each other to improve their individual selves. We all have our own individual goals but achieve them by racing each other.

What does the Lock Haven coaching staff do to help set you up for success?

Head Coach Andy Waeger individualizes our sets so that we get the most out of every single one of them. If it is a full group workout, he tells us things he would like us to focus on. He puts us up to race against our teammates that will push us throughout the practice, and he supports us along the way. He emphasizes the fact that we need to work on our weaknesses in order to be the best athletes that we can be. In my IM, he knows that backstroke is my weakest stroke, so we work on backstroke from time to time because that is a main area where I can improve. We often do perfect and fast turns after a tough set, so that we practice them when we are tired like during the end of a race. He checks up on us throughout the season and keeps open communication with the team by always encouraging us to come to his office if we ever want to talk. Adam Stoner, our student assistant, has been great as well. His dedication to our team is amazing as a volunteer coach. He is always there for us if we ever need anything at all.

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

Making Nationals my freshman year was by far my biggest accomplishment. We had qualified our 200 Medley with an A cut. We were thrilled to be going, especially since Lock Haven University was hosting.  I had a B cut in the 100 breast, so of course I wanted to give it a shot, never thinking I would make it back to finals. It turned out that I had tied for 8th in prelims, which meant a swim-off for All-American was necessary. That was most nerve-racking minute and four seconds of my life, but I felt like I was on top of the world after looking up at the scoreboard and seeing that I touched first by a few one hundredths.

What are some of your goals for the 2011-12 season?

I would love to qualify for NCAAs again this season. Each year it gets tougher and tougher to make it, but it also makes it more of an honor if you qualify. It would be a huge accomplishment for our 200 Medley Relay to get an A cut again this year. It is always so fun to travel to a competitive meet with your teammates. Individually, I would love to go a 1:03 in the 100 breast. When I came to Lock Haven, I swam a 1:06, so I believe that anything is possible with hard work. I also think it would be really cool to go a 52 in the 100 free and 23 in the 50.

What are your top times?

100 Breast  -       1:04.42
200 IM       -       2:08.63
50 Free      -         24.26
100 Free     -       53.35
100 Fly       -         58.32

What would you say motivates you?

I am motivated by my goals. After a tough practice, I just think about how my races are going to benefit. Looking up at the clock and seeing a personal best time is one of the main reasons why I swim. I love seeing hard work pay off.

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

Most people don’t know that I am extremely nerdy when it comes to school. I have a 3.985 G.P.A. and was pretty upset that I ruined my 4.0 because of a geography class. I am also a beach lifeguard at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in the summer. This past June, I broke my foot during training. However, I have been told that the season after an injury is often your best one, so I am hoping this is true!

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

I don’t really have a favorite artist, but I am often caught listening to Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Jason Derulo, or Katy Perry. However, I can get pumped up from any song. My teammates laugh at me when I listen to slow songs before my races, but they relax me and somehow get me ready to race.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals?

Before my meets, I always visualize each race the night before when I am lying in bed. I also have to drink a lot of water and eat lots of protein and carbs the night before. Before each race, I must jump around behind the block. I like to stand behind my lane way before I should, and I must be completely dry and warm.

What records do you hold?

LHU Team Records: 100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke, 200 IM, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay

What is your favorite food?

This is an easy one – steak!

Who has been the most influential person in your life?

I would have to say my mother, Suzanne, and father, Bill, are equally influential. They have supported me my whole life in everything that I do and have always encouraged me to chase after my dreams. I have learned so much from both of them, and I’m so lucky to have them as role models in my life.

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

I would say that 12 x 1000s in long course meters on our training trip in 2010 is the most mentally and physically challenging set. As a sprinter, it was not one of my favorites. Also, the weather wasn’t the warmest.     

At what point in your life did you know that you wanted to take swimming to the next level?

In high school, I wasn’t very serious about swimming. I enjoyed it, but I focused on my academics and clubs too. I would say that I started taking swimming to the next level in college when I had to be fully committed. Morning practices and doubles were new to me when I got to Lock Haven. However, I was fresh and not burnt out at that point in my career.

Please list any other additional information that you would like to share!

I am proud to say that I am a two-time Academic All-American and have 5 All-American performances.

Check out some of our past featured swimmers here