Harriton’s Kate Levensten is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The junior swimmer finished third at the PIAA 3A state championships in both the girls 100 fly (54.86) and girls 100 back (54.83). She earned an automatic All-American time in the 100 back at Districts and earned All-American consideration in the 100 fly at States. A first team All-Central League swimmer, she had the second-highest National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) power point score in the league for her top-2 and top-3 events alike. Outside of the pool, Levensten participates in buildOn and the Environmental Club at Harriton.
Q: What do you think was your best swim at States, and what was the key to your performance in that event?
A: I believe that my best swim at States was my 100 fly because I have been working on my race strategy and breathing pattern for a while now. I was also excited that my execution of the race turned out so well. I think the key to my performance in fly at States was definitely my mindset at finals. I was nervous but I just focused on what I could to swim my best and that really calmed me down.
Q: This was your first time competing at Bucknell – what is your favorite memory of States?
A: My favorite memory was definitely the first night of the finals. I loved coming back to the pool and getting to see all of my friends finish the men’s finals and get ready with all of my friends for our finals. I remember finals being the best atmosphere because I had such a rush of emotions, mostly excitement, of seeing everyone swim so fast and knowing I soon would get to swim my own events and celebrate after with my friends.
Q: What aspect of your swimming do you feel you improved the most this season? What aspect of your swimming are you working on the most currently?
A: This season I really tried to focus on my mentality out of the water as much as I did my technique in the water. I really tried to build my confidence and focus on being a more positive version of myself, setting goals with my friends during practice to acknowledge the negatives but learn to love the positives. In the water I really focused on my turns and underwaters throughout the season, learning to take advantage of every wall and shimmer. Currently I really want to focus on improving my kick, making it more consistent and powerful to continue my power from under the water to on top.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in competitive swimming. Who have been your most valuable swimming mentors, and what were the most important things you learned from each of them?
A: I started swimming at five years old and joined the Suburban Seahawks Swim Club six years ago, where I am now. Over the years, some of my most valuable mentors have been older girls on the team because they demonstrated hard work and dedication. They have set an example for me and many younger kids as well, looking up to them as a mentor. They also showed me how important sportsmanship and loving your sport is. I have also looked up to Coach Charlie Kennedy as well as all my other coaches like Jimmy Turley at Harriton High School. They have taught me to always be confident in myself, showing me the importance of believing in the work you do at practice every day.
Q: What swimming accomplishment outside of Harriton are you most proud of?
A: Outside of Harriton, a swimming accomplishment I am most proud of is making my club (Suburban Seahawks) national team by qualifying for NCSAs (Next College Student-Athletes).
Q: What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: My favorite swimming venue was the pool for NCSAs in Alabama this past summer. I loved it because the pool was so fast and there was a second pool for warm down. The warm down pool was so cool because it was a really big pool with lots of windows, so it felt as if it was outside. Also at points parts of the ceiling were open so we could see outside when warming down. The environment around the pool was amazing, everyone was screaming and so encouraging. It was fun to watch everyone swim fast in such a fun environment.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-meet preparation on the day of a meet.
A: My pre-meet preparation is usually the same. I always get all of my bags and food ready the night before so I’m less stressed the morning of the meet. When I wake up I always try to drink water and eat something, even if it’s not a lot. I then just talk with my friends because it is fun and calms me down. My preparation for the morning of a meet is really not different from any other day.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Harriton? 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 course at Harrition is usually a humanities course, this year it is Language and Composition. As of right now I do not know what I want to major in, but I am really interested in Journalism.
Fun facts – Kate Levensten
Favorite book: Into the Wild and Kite Runner.
Favorite TV show: The Gilmore Girls.
Favorite movie: Sixteen Candles.
Favorite athlete: Carissa Moore.
Favorite team: Philadelphia 76ers.
Favorite place to visit: Costa Rica.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Bagel with Peanut Butter or Pasta and Meatballs.
Person I most admire, and why: “My mom and my grandmothers because to me they represent successful and independent women I can always look up to and trust. As I am growing up, they have taught me the importance of being a confident, independent and strong woman.”
Family members: parents Kevin and Alyssa Levensten, sisters Sydney, Sadye and Addison.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
