Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Lauren Szadorski

The Oswego Co-Op swim team has historically been one of the strongest programs in both the area and state. The team has captured the conference championship for 16 consecutive seasons and sent numerous athletes to swim at major collegiate programs. Joining the program to swim on the varsity as a freshman is a major achievement and a daunting task in itself. Still, freshman Lauren Szadorski has not only risen to the occasion but has been a major contributor to the team. That is why she is this week’s Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

For Lauren, swimming is in her bloodline. Her older sisters and graduates of Oswego East, Abby and Alexa Szadorski, have gone on to compete at the collegiate level at Eastern Michigan University and Indiana State University, respectively. "I went to my sister’s practices when I was little, and it really made me want to try competitive swimming," says Lauren.

That inspiration has helped motivate Lauren as her mother, Michelle Szadorski, says, "Lauren has always looked up to her sisters. They motivate each other to set and achieve goals in swimming. They encourage and push each other to succeed in all they do. They are both each other’s biggest fans and competitors."

Swimming for the Riptides out of Fox Valley Park District, Lauren has been in the pool swimming competitively since she was six. Coming into her freshman year, Lauren had high expectations for herself, saying, "I had a realistic goal of making the varsity team as a freshman and have been used to swimming against older competitors for most of the teams for which I competed."

Head coach Bob Sprunger immediately saw qualities in his freshman that he knew would allow her to compete at the varsity level, saying, "Lauren is not only a hard worker, but she takes advice and coaching very well and is able to apply it to her practice habits and races."

Swimming mostly the 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, and being a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay, Lauren has been able to capture numerous first-place finishes this season, including this past weekend at the conference meet where she took first place in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, and second as a member of the 400 freestyle relay. Lauren’s efforts helped catapult the team to another conference championship, keeping their streak intact.

The team will be competing in the sectional meet this weekend, and Lauren is hoping her times are strong enough to earn her a position at the state meet the following weekend. "Lauren has already swum state times in the 500 freestyle and is close in the 200 freestyle," says Bob. Achieving state times as a freshman is a huge accomplishment, but one that helps motivate Lauren. She says, "Whenever I’m tired or not having a great day, I think about my goals like qualifying for state, which helps motivate me through the difficult times."

Lauren excels in the classroom as well, as she is on track for a 4.0 GPA for her first semester in high school. Her pottery teacher, Mr. Randy Craig, says, “Lauren is always willing to help out. She is polite and a very hard worker. Lauren is a quick learner who constantly shows up to class with a positive attitude.” Although unsure of her intended major, Lauren is hoping to follow in her sister’s footsteps and swim collegiately. "I do not think there is a ceiling for Lauren," says Bob. He goes on to say, "She will continue to improve throughout high school and can be a state qualifier each year and eventually earn a medal."

Lauren has plenty left she would like to achieve, both this season and over the next three years, and if she continues showing skill, work ethic, and willingness to take coaching, the sky is the limit for this talented freshman. Having only spent three months at Oswego East, Lauren has already gained a world of knowledge. She advises future Wolves by saying, "Do not be afraid to ask for help from others in the school, and try to be as social as possible so you have the opportunity to meet new people." As Lauren continues to gain experience and achieve her goals, she will be one of those students future Wolves can look to for advice, as well as a role model for what it takes to be successful.