Q&A with Ridgeline swimmer Wyatt Carlsen
MILLVILLE, Utah — A Q&A with Wyatt Casey Carlsen who is a swimmer at Ridgeline High School.
Age:15 years
Sports participated in: Swimming and Water Polo
Years in current sport: 1 in my current year
Grade/Year: Sophomore
Coach McEuen on Wyatt: Wyatt is new to swimming. He originally started as a water polo athlete. He has learned quickly that they are two very different sports. He is dedicated to his training and to the technique correction we give to him. He desires and strives for the most perfection he can obtain. If we can get the strokes technically correct, adding speed will help to aid him toward his goals.
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Wyatt Carlsen: My personal goals are to be able to hold the 200 im and 100 back school record.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Carlsen: I think the biggest challenge in swimming is the amount of time and commitment that it demands. I’ve had to learn how to love the process of putting my body through work every day just to keep up a social and intellectual life outside of it.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Carlsen: It’s not what happens but how you react that matters.
What do you love about your sport?
Carlsen: I love the mental aspect of it. Being able to go to swim and just focus on your body is so therapeutic.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Carlsen: My pregame ritual was started last year by an amazing senior. He used to always pray before each event so now I always pray before each.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Carlsen: Outside of my sport I like to play the guitar or go out in the mountains.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Carlsen: Being a member of this team has taught me how to control my time and emotions.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Carlsen: My swim coach told me that I had to learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Carlsen: When swimming the 200im at regions my goggles came unsealed which caused me to not be able to see. I was halfway through my event when it started. Instead of stopping I pushed through it and still finished with a state-qualifying time.
Anything else you鈥檇 like to add?
Carlsen: Joining the swim team was the best decision that I’ve made in high school. It’s projected me forward in my social, emotional, and intellectual progress as a high schooler.
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