Tate Happel ’20 stands by the Coralville Recreation Center swimming pool after practice. The No. 9 ranked Trojans faced No. 10 Cedar Rapids Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
Tate Happel ’20
Tate Happel is one of two starting freshmen this year, and specializes in distance swimming.
West Side Story: When did you first start swimming?
Tate Happel ’20: Sixth grade.
WSS: What made you start?
TH: My mom swam on [the] West [girls swim team] when she was younger and decided to put me in.
WSS: What have you enjoyed most about your first season at West?
TH: I enjoyed meeting all the other swimmers
WSS: What are your best events?
TH: Long distance freestyle. The 1650 free and 500 free are my best [events].
WSS: What are your goals for this year?
TH: I want to get in the top 16 at State in the 500 [freestyle].
WSS: What inspires you to keep swimming?
TH: I just like how competitive it is; I like to watch my times go down.
WSS: What are your future plans for swimming?
TH: To swim through college.