Making Waves: Cecilia H. ’25 and her Journey to the Olympic Trials
For Cecilia H. ’25, swimming was never just a hobby—it’s a way of life. Starting at just 5 years old, Cecilia began competitive swimming and never looked back. This past summer, Cecilia achieved a major milestone: qualifying for the US Olympic Trials. In June, Cecilia headed to Indianapolis and competed in the US Olympic Trials 100 meter breaststroke event.
Today, Cecilia still swims for the Bellevue Club Swim Team, balancing a demanding training schedule with her academic responsibilities. Each week, Cecilia completes 8 swim practices, each lasting 2 hours, and incorporates 3 weight-lifting sessions. Training is intense with her team cycling through a variety of workouts over three-week intervals, including anaerobic threshold sessions, circuits, and long-distance sets.
Balancing school and swimming hasn’t always been easy, but Cecilia manages it through careful planning and asking for help when needed. "It can be difficult at times, but a lot of planning and asking for help can go a long way," she says, reflecting on the challenge of juggling academics with her training schedule.
What Cecilia loves most about swimming is the camaraderie and the opportunities it offers. "I love being able to travel to new places and workout with my friends," she shares. Her swimming inspirations are Missy Franklin and fellow Sacred Heart alum from Stone Ridge, Katie Ledecky.
Cecilia's swimming journey is a testament to the power of determination and hard work. As she continues to push herself both in the pool and the classroom, there’s no doubt Cecilia will keep making waves in the world of competitive swimming.