Featured Athlete of the Week: Katie McHugh, Swimming, South Putnam High School

Friday, February 7, 2014
Katie McHugh

Katie McHugh, 18, is a student athlete at South Putnam High School. She was born on December 22, 1995 to Mike and Ronda McHugh. She has four siblings Alex, Ava, Grady and Madeline. In school, McHugh's favorite subject is biology and her favorite teacher is Mr. Joey Singleton.

McHugh's favorite food is broccoli. Her favorite movie is "The Pink Panther." She is involved in Family, Community, Careers Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honors Society, Interact, Teen Court and P.I.E.

McHugh has numerous achievements and awards including being valedictorian, an Academic All-conference in volleyball, swimming and softball, and All-county in volleyball. In sports, she has lettered in track one year, softball the past two years, swimming for four years and volleyball for three years.

Banner Graphic: What were your team and individual goals for swimming this year?
Katie McHugh: Team goals for this year were to break the 200 free relay record and go to sectionals for the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay. Individual goals were to get my personal best time in breaststroke at sectional and to be a positive leader for my team as the only girl senior.

BG: Which of the sports you participate in your favorite? Why?
KM: My favorite sport to play has always be volleyball but this year I have enjoyed every moment of swimming with my amazing team. We are really close and we spend a lot of time together outside the pool so they have just made a really memorable season for me and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

BG: Who has had the biggest influence on you in life?
KM: The two people who have had the biggest influence on my life are my parents. They have really high expectations for me in my sports and academics and they are always there to cheer me an encourage me to keep doing better. I would have to thank them for any success that I have had because without them there would be none.

BG: What lessons have you learned from sports?
KM: The biggest lesson that I've learned from sports is how to persevere. Especially in swimming. Swimming is a very physically and mentally demanding sport. It breaks you down completely sometimes to the point where the only thing that keeps you going is the drive to succeed. From this I've gained mental toughness and perseverance that is useful in other areas of my life aside from sports. Nothing feels better than being successful because you persevered when things got tough.

BG: How much have you learned over the years from your teammates?
KM: I have learned quite a bit from my teammates. My swim team is a giant family we spend more time with each other than we do with our real families I think. These guys have taught me what it means to be truly dedicated to both my team and my sport. Like I said before, swimming demands so much mental toughness and a lot of times it's really hard have that but they are always there to pick me up. They have really taught me how to stay positive in times of adversity. I really can't thank them enough for all that they have done for me.

BG: What will you miss most about high school sports?
KM: The thing I will miss most about the high school sports is being involved in something that was not all about me, something I could not do on my own. I enjoy being part of a team and having to come together with other people to accomplish goals. I'll miss my team more than anything though. They are all my best friends.

BG: What has been your favorite memory of high school?
KM: My favorite memories from high school all come from swimming. We have made countless memories this season, but I would have to say my favorite is listening to Caleb motivate us for swimming with his preaching.

BG: What are your plans after high school?
KM: I plan to go to either DePauw University or Marian University where I will major in biology with a premed concentration. Then, I plan to go to medical school to become a pediatric oncologist. Somewhere in there I will get married and start a family.

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