Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Junior Katie Gresik

Junior Katie Gresik came into this season already a state champion. Last season Katie, as well as junior Chole Diner and Oswego graduates Lauren Willie and Corrine Guist, were able to capture the state championship in the 200-yard freestyle relay, and the team was able to place 4th overall in the state. That experience has helped Katie emerge as one of the leaders of the Oswego Co-Op, and along with her individual accomplishments, is why she is this week’s Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

Katie began competitive swimming when she was 9 years old. “My grandpa pushed me to swim because it was something different,” says Katie. Kim and Michael Gresik, Katie’s parents, saw a talent in Katie for the sport early on, saying, “We saw at an early age that Katie had a natural ability in swimming that coupled with her competitive spirit.”

In junior high, Katie balanced her time between cross country and swimming. At the high school level, those seasons run concurrently, which forced Katie into a decision. “I chose to swim rather than run because of the people,” says Katie. She goes on to say, “I have been around them for a really long time, and swimming is really challenging, both mentally and physically.”

As a freshman, Katie practiced with the varsity and swam multiple varsity meets. However, as a sophomore, Katie was counted on by her coaches and teammates to play a bigger role. She was able to qualify for the state meet in the 200 individual medley and 100 fly, as well as a member of the state champion 200-yard free relay, and a member of the 200-yard medley relay.

Coming into this season, Katie used that momentum to continue setting new goals and setting new records. Earlier this season, Katie set a pool record at Lincoln-Way Central in the 200 IM, a pool record at Lincoln-Way East in the 500 free, and won first place at the conference meet as an individual in the 200 free and 100 fly as well as a member of the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. Katie’s successes at the conference meet helped the team capture their 15th conference championship in a row.

Having already swam state qualifying times in 5 events, Katie is looking to capture individual gold in the 500 free and hoping to repeat as state champion in the 200 free relay. Head coach Bob Sprunger believes she can repeat, and her leadership will be just as important for the team’s overall success. “Katie is a great all-around swimmer and comes to practice every day ready to train hard, always putting in 100%,” says Bob. He goes on to say, “Katie gets along well with all of her teammates and is the perfect example of leading by example.”

Only a junior, Katie has already been speaking with coaches at the Division 1 level about swimming at the next level, specifically at the University of Alabama and the Naval Academy. “I think Katie would benefit any program in the country and swim in multiple events,” says Bob. Katie’s former head coach, Deryl Leubner, also believes Katie will be successful at the next level, saying, “Katie is good in all four strokes and good at both distance and sprints.”

While swimming will definitely be a part of Katie’s future, she works just as hard in the classroom as she does in the pool. Having already earned a 3.8 G.P.A., Katie has her sights set on either law or medicine in college. “Katie’s determination and drive will help her succeed with whatever she decides to do in college, or life in general,” says Kim and Michael.

Katie’s Honors Spanish 3 teacher, Juan Leal, says, “Katie is very personable and can carry on a conversation very well.” He goes on to say, “As a student, she is hardworking and very studious. Katie will be successful in either law or medicine because she is detail oriented and very meticulous. She absorbs vocabulary very well and makes connections that help her learn very quickly.”

With sectionals looming this weekend, Katie and her teammates will be sure to carry on the tradition of the strong Oswego Co-Op team by giving their best effort and most likely qualifying as a team for the state meet. As someone who is thriving both in athletics and in the classroom, Katie advises future Wolves to, “get your work done as soon as possible to make sure you have a balance of both sports and academics.” The work Katie has put into the pool has given her the right to call herself a state champion already, something she hopes to build upon beginning this weekend at the sectional tournament.