Get To Know The Naval Academy's Laura Gorinski

by Josh Huger (MrUtopia)

The Naval Academy’s Laura Gorinski is this week’s featured swimmer. Laura, a junior, has enjoyed many successes thus far with the Mids.

Some of her successes include being named the 2011 Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year for women’s swimming, qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Trials and earning numerous Patriot League and ECAC Championship titles.

In this SwimUtopia interview Laura tells us what caused her to choose Navy and what coaches John Morrison and Rob Lias do to help set her up for continued success.

Let’s get started!


What made you choose Navy?

I came to the Naval Academy for the challenge and the opportunity. The Naval Academy is more demanding than other schools, and the hard work and lessons I experience here will benefit me for the rest of my life. More importantly, having the opportunity to serve my country is an honor.

What is it like training with everyone at Navy?

Swimming at the Naval Academy is a unique experience. As a midshipman, I am required to act professional and maintain military standards while respecting a rank structure among officers and classmates. But on deck with my teammates, rank doesn’t exist, and I can relax, be myself, and just focus on swimming.

At this year’s Army vs. Navy meet you won three individual races, all of which were Patriot League, Army-Navy Meet, Crandall Pool and Navy team records. What does that do to your confidence as you progress farther into this season?

The Army Navy meet was a huge confidence booster for me. I didn’t have that stellar of a fall season, and I was a little down on myself mentally. To see my practice finally pay off means I’m heading in the right direction. Now I’m excited to continue my training and see what else I can do, especially at our conference meet.

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

Coach John Morrison and Coach Rob Lias are more than willing to accommodate any need that I may have, on and off the pool deck. During practice, both constantly give feedback regarding our techniques while maintaining a competitive and motivating atmosphere. They give us sets that are challenging yet meaningful, and I really have seen the difference in maintaining my technique and mindset because of that. Even when I’m not practicing, my coaches are always offering assistance to problems I may have in school or military obligations.

What is your most memorable moment so far with the team?

Without a doubt, my first conference meet. During my Plebe (freshman) year, I was recovering from two injuries that kept me out of the water until late December. I was able to get back in, work hard, and walk away with three individual conference titles and the Rookie of the Meet Award.

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

Qualifying for the Olympic Trials while representing the Naval Academy. Training and competing at this meet will be an honor, and I’m proud to have come this far in my swimming.

What are your top times?

100 Breast: 1:00.77    200 Breast: 2:11.10    200 IM: 2:00.33

What would you say motivates you?

The thought of giving less than 100% kills me. Every time I climb out of a practice or a race, I want to say to myself I gave it my all.

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

I love video games, fishing, playing piano, and watching Steelers football. I also enjoy astronomy, and hope to be an astrophysics professor when I retire from the Navy.

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

I honestly will listen to anything with a good beat, but I’ve recently become a fan of 80’s music.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals?

Hours before a big meet, I take cold showers and eat Chinese food.  Don’t know why they work, but I don’t ask questions when I swim fast.

What records do you hold?

Navy and Patriot League records in the 100, 200 Breast and 200 IM. Navy record in the 400 IM. Multiple breast and IM records at my former club team, Greensburg YMCA. Pennsylvania YMCA state record in the 200 IM.

What is your favorite food?

My mom’s haluski (Polish noodles and cabbage.)

Who has been the most influential person in your life?

My sister Mary Beth and my club coach Susie Yakubisan. Both have taught me so much about swimming, and provided the foundation for my work ethic that continues to strengthen every day.

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

14X400’s IM. The IMers always do this set on the last day of training trip, and is quite possibly the last set I want to do at that time and place.

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

I’ve always known I wanted to take my swimming to the next level. When I started making finals at national level meets, I realized I could go really far in swimming.

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

I’m hoping to service select submarines for my Navy career. I’ve been named the 2011 Patriot League Student Athlete of the Year for Women’s Swimming, and received two Collegeswimming.com Division I women's swimmer of the week awards. Swam for the Greensburg YMCA Swim Team for 12 years.

GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!!!!

See more of our past Featured Swimmers here