John Li ’19 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.
John Li ’19
Once only a swimmer by circumstance, John Li now makes significant contributions to the varsity team.
West Side Story: When did you first start swimming?
John Li ’19: I started doing swim lessons in 2009. I think I was seven and a half. I joined the swim team [ICE] when I was 10 and a half.
WSS: What made you start?
JL: I started cause I had a friend who was really fast; he had state records. My mom also heard that swimming was a good fit for my asthma.
WSS: What have you enjoyed most about this season so far?
JL: The people on the swim team are almost always in good moods and fun to be around. The meets are fun because the whole team is cheering you on when you’re competing.
WSS: What are your best events?
JL: 100 [butter]fly and 100 back[stroke].
WSS: What are your goals for this year?
JL: I just want to make it to state.
WSS: What inspires you to keep swimming?
JL: Well when I first started swimming it was more like a chore cause my mom really wanted me to swim [to improve] my asthma. But then I started making a lot of friends in swimming and started to take it more seriously cause I wanted to beat my friends.
WSS: What are your future plans for swimming?
JL: I don’t know. Maybe swim in college? Haven’t thought it out yet.