Athlete of the Week – Kim Schooneman – Week of January 18, 2019
Compiling three top-3 finishes as a program this season, the Dolphin Varsity Girls Swim Program is capturing the attention of the Hampton Roads Swim community. With her graceful, selfless, and effortless performance in the water, this week’s Athlete of the Week, Kim Schooneman, is leading Cape Henry to a commanding start to the season.
“Throughout this season, Kim has stood out for her dedication to the sport of swimming and willingness to take on the most challenging events every week,” Head Coach Bryan Rudolph said of Kim Schooneman. “In addition to her selflessness, she has been a top performer in each event and has led by example through her work ethic day-in and day-out.”
Kim joined the Varsity Swim program as an eighth-grade student-athlete and has only become stronger and more confident in the water. She became an integral member of the program the moment she stepped foot in the Cape Henry hallways, leading with her actions and dominating the competition with her skill. Over the course of the last week, Kim led the Dolphins to a couple of top-3 finishes.
Coach Rudolph continued of Kim, “In our meet last week at Walsingham Academy, Kim shined amongst a field of very talented swimmers. Not only did she step up to swim the most difficult events, she did so with great success. At times her efficiency in the water made swimming seem effortless.”
Last week, Schooneman finished 1st in the 500 Freestyle with a time of 5:38.69, leading the second place finisher by 26 seconds. In addition, she earned a 2nd place finish in the 200 Freestyle with a time of 2:08.09. Kim was also part of two 1st place relays in the 200 Medley Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay. Each of these four events finished in state qualifying times.
She continued her efforts this week, adding to her impressive list of 1st place and State Qualifying times beginning with two 1st place finishes in the 200 IM and 100 Breaststroke before teaming up with Shannon Tadder, Addison Cox, and Kate Vittone to bring home two more 1st place finishes in the 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay. With her list of accomplishments continuing to grow, it is clear to see why Kim has become such a treasured member of the Varsity Girls Swim Program.
“Kim is an extremely valuable member of our team in many ways. Her selfless demeanor has her willing to swim in any event she is most needed. She has also taken on a different event in every meet so far and has obtained state qualifying times in every race she has participated in this season,” Coach Rudolph finished of Kim.
In total, Kim has accumulated, individually, four 1st place finishes, one 2nd place finish, and one 3rd place finish, while amassing four 1st place finishes, one 2nd place finish, and one 3rd place finish as a member of a relay team. Even more impressively, Schooneman has already garnered six Individual state-qualifying times and three Relay state-qualifying times.
Kim has shown an incredible work ethic throughout the year, balancing both swimming at the club level and for Cape Henry Collegiate. Her countless hours in the pool every week has the Dolphins swim programs gearing up for a season to remember both in the TCIS and at the State Competition.
