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DE FOREST, Wis. — All American: for a student athlete, those words produce cascading chills. It is the result of countless hours dedicated to a craft and a recognition for those who helped you get there. DeForest’s Anna Pilecky is part of this elite club. A 2018 DeForest High School grad, Anna was an outstanding high school swimmer, but she is taking it to incredible heights at UW-Stevens Point. It is a testament to a work ethic and discipline that will serve this young lady well in all future endeavors. It is a case study in continuous improvement and perseverance.

Anna started swimming at the DeForest Aquatic Club fourteen years ago at age 7 leading her to become a member of the high school swim team as a freshman. She was part of a team that made the state meet all four of her high school years. As a senior, she won the Badger East Conference 500-yard freestyle after finishing fifth in the state at that event as a sophomore.

After graduating Cum Laude on the High Honor Roll from DeForest High School, it was off to UW-Stevens Point where she is majoring in Wildlife Ecology. Much like her high school swimming career, Anna has steadily improved in college, competing in events ranging from the 200-yard freestyle to the 1650-yard freestyle.

Anna earned Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) first team honors for both the 500-yard and 1650-yard freestyle (a.k.a. The Mile) as a freshman. As a sophomore, she was named All American in the 1650-yard freestyle, after winning the WIAC championship with a personal best time of 17 minutes, 9.61 seconds. In her junior campaign, she was named WIAC Swimmer of the Year. To date, she has been named WIAC Swimmer of the Week six times.

We caught up with Anna for a little Q & A as she competes in her final year at Stevens Point. For such a young person, Anna provides all of us with some sage advice in her answers.

What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?

Anna Pilecky: Right now, my goal is to go under 17 minutes in the mile.

What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?

Pilecky: The mental aspect, I try not to think too much about it.

What was the best advice you were ever given?

Pilecky: Don鈥檛 dwell on a bad race, scream it out in the hallway and move on.

What do you love about your sport?

Pilecky: I think it鈥檚 a lot of fun, it feels good to get into a groove of swimming laps.

What do you like to do outside of your sport?

Pilecky: Reading, puzzles, video games, and any kind of games.

What has being a member of a team taught you?

Pilecky: If you think about swimming for your teammates instead of swimming for yourself it gives you a better mindset.

What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?

Pilecky: Only think about swimming during practice and don鈥檛 worry about school. Once practice is over, then it鈥檚 time to focus on your schoolwork and not think about swimming.

Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.

Pilecky: Worrying too much about where my competitors are in a race, I just had to think about my race and no one else鈥檚.

Anything else you鈥檇 like to add?

Pilecky: I like to thank my family, coaches, and teammates over the years for support and fun times. I鈥檓 excited for the next chapter and will always cherish the memories.

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