Baldwin School swimmer Anya Mostek is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
Anya Mostek, a freshman swimmer, was undefeated in the 100 back, 200 free and 200 IM after the Polar Bears’ first four meets. In Baldwin’s 87-83 win against Agnes Irwin, Mostek finished first in the 200 free and 100 back, and broke the school’s 100 back record held by legendary Baldwin swimmer Valerie Yoshimura since 2012. Outside of the pool at Baldwin, Mostek is a Service League Representative and a member of the Mock Trial Club and the Environmental Club.
Q: What was the key to your success in the 100 back against Agnes Irwin? Were you aware at that time that you broke the school record?
A: The weekend before the meet I swam the 100 back at another venue for my club team and obtained a personal best, so I was feeling very good going into the race. During warmup I looked at the record board and knew I had a chance of breaking the record. I told my teammates I was going to go for it and they were incredibly supportive. The energy during the meet was so exciting and positive that you could just feel it. I stayed focused and tried to find the right level of adrenaline where I could swim fast, but not get so nervous that I would not swim well.
Q: What is your most vivid memory of the meet against Agnes Irwin?
A: The whole meet was really exciting as it was our school’s Spirit Night. The stands were packed and the meet was close. My most vivid memory was standing behind the blocks after I swam my leg of the 4 x 100 free relay and cheering for the anchor. This race determined if we were going to win or lose and we gave it our all. I have never heard the Baldwin Athletic Center be so loud – so much so that many of us lost our voices. I will never forget the feeling of joy and relief when we won. It was amazing.
Q: What is your favorite event, and why?
A: I tend to go back and forth between the backstroke and breaststroke for my favorite stroke. Right now, my favorite event is the 100 breaststroke. I find the rhythm to be soothing and I like the 100 because it allows you to push yourself and stay strong throughout the race.
Q: What has been your most memorable experience in the pool outside of swimming for Baldwin School?
A: In August, I swam the 100 breast in finals at the 2018 Long Course YMCA National Championships and my whole team was cheering for me. It was an incredible feeling.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day, or cycle, of training?
A: At this point in the season all of the days of the week have different swim schedules. On Mondays and Fridays, I train 5:30-7 a.m. After school Mondays through Thursdays our practices are 2.5 hours, which include swimming and dryland (out of pool exercises). I swim six days a week.
Q: What aspect of your swimming have you been working on the most recently?
A: I have been trying to improve my freestyle and am working on a 6-beat kick, which is stronger and faster than my usual kick.
Q: What pool did you first swim for? What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: I have been swimming for the Phoenixville Area YMCA (PAY Swim) since I was 5 years old. My favorite venue is the Greensboro Aquatic Center in North Carolina because of its size and atmosphere.
Q: Who have been your biggest swimming mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: I am really fortunate to be surrounded by many wonderful coaches who have helped me with different aspects of my swimming. Coach Hart has been at Baldwin since I started in first grade. He is so positive and has a way of fixing technique issues without you even knowing what he is doing until after you are performing better. I have a new club coach this year, Anthony Addlesberger, and he has already taught me so much. I particularly like his endurance work and how he really makes you think about being accountable for your swimming. My former club coach, Ryan Kennedy, who left to coach at the college level, taught me most of what I know about racing and strategy.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-meet preparation the day of a meet.
A: I make sure to get a good night’s sleep before a meet. My breakfast is usually a Clif Bar and juice on the drive and an egg sandwich when I get to the meet. Before I race, I stretch or roll out my muscles. Other than that, I just try to stay relaxed and enjoy being with my team.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Baldwin School? Is there a particular career path that interests you at the present time?
A: Physics with Dr. Goldader is my favorite class right now. I would like to pursue some form of medicine as a career.
Fun facts – Anya Mostek
Favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird.
Favorite author: Roald Dahl.
Favorite TV show: Cutthroat Kitchen.
Favorite movie: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Favorite athlete: Katie Ledecky.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Centuries by Fall Out Boy.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: “The beach.”
Favorite pre-meet meal: Steak and Egg Pita.
Person I most admire, and why: “Winston Churchill because he was an inspiring leader during a time of unimaginable adversity.”
Family members: parents Walter and Susan, brother Stephen (20) and sister Katherine (18).
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
