Episcopal Academy swimmer Kelly Feuzeu Mekoue is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The sophomore finished first at both the 50 free and 100 free at the Inter-Ac Invitational Meet, and she is ranked in the top 10 in Pennsylvania in the 100 free and in the top five in the 50 free. A versatile swimmer who helps wherever she is needed in the lineup, her best times on the season are 23.99 (50 free), 52.11 (100 free), 56.97 (100 back), 58.12 (100 fly) and 1:08.22 (100 breast). EA swimming head coach Brian Kline said, “Kelly is a massive part of the EA swim and dive team. Her intensity and drive each meet helps lift the other swimmers to want to excel.”
Q: What is your most vivid memory of the Inter-Ac Invitational Meet – can you share it with us?
A: I remember being very nervous. I am always nervous at meets, but with support of my teammates, I know I can, and will, do well.
Q: What aspect of your swimming have you been working on the most recently?
A: I have mostly been working on my backstroke and breast stroke.
Q: What sparked your initial interest in competitive swimming?
A: When I was 3 years old, I started preschool at the Lansdowne YMCA located in Upper Darby. We would have play time in the pool once a week on Tuesdays. My interest in swimming began there and I started taking swim practices, and eventually joined the Lansdowne Marlins swim team and became a competitive swimmer. At age nine, I moved to the Suburban Seahawks swim team.
Q: Who have been your most influential swimming mentors and why?
A: My most influential swim mentors are Coach Tara Burke, Coach Kline, and Coach Charlie Kennedy. Coach Tara has always believed in my swimming career ever since I joined the Marlins swim team. She has cheered me on for every one of the races and has watched me break and re-break my several records at the Lansdowne Swim Club, where I swim in the summer. Coach Charlie has been my mentor for the past three years. He has helped develop my stroke, as well as Coach Tara. He has also given me swim sets which have challenged me to exceed in my swim career. Coach Kline has supported me through all of our dual meets and has always told me to do my best.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day, or cycle, of training?
A: A typical day of training is about 2 hours and 15 minutes of challenging swim sets. And on Saturday, its three hours. I also do 30 minutes of dryland two days a week.
Q: You have an impressive swimming resume. Which swimming accomplishment to date means to most to you and why?
A: The accomplishment that is most impressive to me is when I broke my first pool record at 8 years old at the Lansdowne Swim Club. I remember after breaking this record receiving lots of applause and cheer. I now hold about 26 records.
Q: What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: My favorite swimming venue is the one in Indianapolis at the IUPUI Natatorium. This is where Junior Nationals (NCSAs) are held in August. It has three pools, a big sitting area and great swim blocks to dive off of.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at EA? What do you think you’d like to major in at college? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: My favorite courses at EA are chemistry and algebra. I have always loved science and math, and I very much hope to do something involving science.
Fun facts – Kelly Feuzeu Mekoue
Favorite book: Becoming.
Favorite author: Michelle Obama.
Favorite TV show: Greys Anatomy and Being Mary Jane.
Favorite movie: A Fall From Grace.
Favorite athletes: Simone Manuel and Katie Ledecky.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Beyonce Formation.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Ocean City, Md.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Pasta.
People I most admire: “I admire Michelle Obama, Simone Manuel, and Beyonce. They are all role models. Beyonce has constantly uplifted me when I listen to her music. She makes me want to break out and dance! Simone, as the first African-American swimmer, has inspired me to be an amazing swimmer and to keep challenging myself. Michelle Obama is a leader and is constantly doing work for children and is an advocate for education.”
Family members: parents Jacquino and Martine, younger sisters Velina, Ashley and Kayla, brother Cyrian, “my best Aunt” Ivette, and grandmother Catherine.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
