This Week's Whiz Kid: Nicole (Nicki) Ciavarella

Whiz Kid's Age: 13

Whiz Kid's School: St. Paul's

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Selected for the USA Swimming Zone Select Camp

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: 

Nicki is ranked within the top 10 nationwide female breast stroke swimmers in her age group.  She is a member of the Condors Swim team, where she started with swim lessons when she was only seven years old. She's been swimming competitively for about three years. 

"Nicki's swim coaches—Don Wagner and Jim Wargo—and all the other Condor coaches, have been instrumental with helping her develop her natural talent," said Kathleen Ciavarella.

Nicki was chosen to attend the USA Swimming Zone Select Camp.  This selective camp chooses only 28 males and 28 females at each of the four zone camps across the nation.  The  camp provides teenage swimmers the opportunity to take their athletic career to the next level through an intense weekend of training, education and fun. The camp includes five long course workouts, four educational sessions and recreational activities. 

The Zone Select Camps are designed by USA Swimming to identify and develop the top talent across the nation. The camps are a turning point for emerging athletes to move from the local and Zone level onto to the national scene.

Nicki made the camp by having the fastest time in the Eastern Zone in the 200 Breaststroke this past summer in her age group. The Eastern Zone consists of different areas and states from Maine down to Virginia.

"My favorite stroke would definitely have to be breaststroke. I find that the breaststroke just comes naturally to me and it's also a lot of fun to swim," said Nicki.

The camp will take place May 19 - 22 at Penn State University.  

Nicki was one of the youngest to swim in the Junior Nationals Championships last summer in Califormia and December in Atlanta.

"Junior Nationals is probably one of the most interesting meets I have been to because it was all so new. Traveling to California and Georgia were both two trips I will never forget. I feel Junior Nationals would also qualify to be the most challenging meet I have been to because there were so many fast swimmers there. Most of the people swimming at Junior Nationals were huge. Even so, I think that Junior Nationals was a great experience. I love traveling around the country to compete. Its just so fun! It's also nice because I go with some of my teammates and its very exciting to be there with them," said Nicki.

Nicki is an honor role student at St. Paul's school and will be graduating 8th grade this year.

Undecided as to where her and her twin sister Faith will go to high school next year, there is one thing she is sure of—she will be swimming.

"I would love to continue swimming for practically the rest of my life. I also really hope to eventually win the Olympics," said Nicki.

And why not? At age 13 with such aspirations, anything is possible. In addition, Nicki has the natural talent, loves the sport and is in the right lane preparing for her future. Rockland would sure love our own female Michael Phelps!

We are cheering you on Nicki and look forward to hearing more about your triumphs!