Quinn Robertson is currently studying for her master’s degree in business management — if that didn’t sound challenging enough, she is doing that while swimming competitively in her final season as a Cougar.
Robertson is a rare athlete, one who excels in every sport she’s played. In high school, she ran track and participated in basketball. In both sports, she was crowned a champion.
Prior to her arrival at APU, Robertson was fairly new to competitive swimming. She started in the ninth grade, and with just four short seasons under her belt, moved on to break a school record in the 50 meter free with a final time of 24:18 during her first season as a Cougar.
The sport became a huge part of Robertson’s life, as it often does for athletes. She spent most of her time practicing, getting her technique down and hoping she would reach nationals.
“Swimming and diving is [a] whole new, different monster,” Robertson said, comparing the sport with those she previously played. “We have two-a-days every day. I spend 28 hours in the pool a week.”
Throughout her first three years, Robertson encountered nothing but success. She reached nationals her freshman and sophomore seasons, and in her junior year broke a program record for the 200 meter free, registering a time of 1:53.60.
That all changed her senior year. Although she remained the same triumphant swimmer, Robertson was redshirted and swam as an “unattached swimmer.” The only way she was able to contribute to the team was through encouragement, as she watched teammates compete in the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference championships.
“Redshirting was definitely the biggest challenge in my five years at APU. You’re putting in all the work but can’t compete,” Robertson said. “It was fun being able to encourage my teammates, watching them thrive, but it was hard not being able to get in there and compete.”
However, sitting out made her “the best leader she could be.” She said her redshirt season allowed her to re-evaluate herself in order to become the captain she wanted to be.
Head coach Tim Kyle gave insight on Robertson’s leadership.
“Quinn is an individual that is a natural-born leader. She has an outstanding knack for roles of leadership,” Kyle said.
With the 2014-15 PCSC Championships rapidly approaching, Robertson, alongside her teammates, has been preparing vigorously for the competition. Robertson has the opportunity to reach nationals for the first and final time as part of the NCAA.
“Quinn is athletically capable of great things. She has put in a tremendous amount of hard work and her hard work and effort will show at our conference meet,” Kyle said.
Kyle added Robertson has a strong chance of making it to nationals.
“If [I] got the opportunity to reach nationals, it would truly be the cherry on top of the sundae,” Robertson said. “There’s no better place to showcase your talent alongside your team than nationals.”
She competes at the PCSC Conference meet Feb. 18, adding to her final chapter as a swimmer.