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CANTON, Ga. — At just 15 years old, Willa Faulkner has already made waves since she began swimming a decade ago. As a freshman at Veritas Classical Schools, she currently swims for both Swim Atlanta and the Creekview Grizzlies. Willa holds the record for the 100-yard backstroke for the Swim Atlanta 13-14 girls as well as the Atlanta Swim Association (ASA) 50-yard backstroke.

Willa has qualified to compete in the USA Swimming Futures Championships, a national-level event held annually. And she is currently working to qualify for the Winter Junior National Championships in the 100-yard backstroke. She aspires to swim in college and eventually in the Olympic trials.

Being able to race and achieve goals alongside her teammates is what Willa loves the most about her sport. She has learned that it is important to be surrounded by people that are supportive and that one person鈥檚 attitude can affect the whole team. Willa shares, 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to uplift one another and stay supportive.鈥�

The best advice she has been given is to 鈥渄o what you feel is best for you.鈥� Her coach reminds her that it is good to feel tired because it means that you are working hard.

Willa鈥檚 biggest challenge is to remain motivated and positive for the remainder of a competition after a race that didn鈥檛 go as she hoped. When faced with the challenge of slipping at the start of her 100-yard backstroke in a meet, Willa shares how she overcame it: 鈥淚t took a lot to keep racing and trying to catch back up to the rest of my heat.鈥�

The best advice she has been given is to 鈥渄o what you feel is best for you.鈥� Her coach reminds her that it is good to feel tired because it means that you are working hard. When she isn鈥檛 in the pool, she enjoys shopping, hanging with friends, and baking.

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