Harriton’s Kate Levensten is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week (March 13-19)
The senior swimmer finished third in the 100 fly and placed second in the 100 back at the PIAA District 1 3A championships. As a junior, she finished third at the PIAA 3A state championships in both the girls 100 fly (54.86) and girls 100 back (54.83), and earned an automatic All-American time in the 100 back at Districts and earned All-American consideration in the 100 fly at States. She is a member of the National Honor Society and belongs to BuildOn at Harriton. Next winter, she will swim for the University of Pennsylvania.
Q: What was the key to your performances at Districts?
A: I believe that the key to my performances was my mental preparation as well as my physical preparedness. In addition to my mentality going into Districts, I believe that my approach and thought process for Districts were all factors that contributed to my races.
Q: What are your goals at States this year?
A: My goal is to have more confidence in myself as well as drop time from last season. Ideally, at States I would like to focus on having fun with my team and enjoying the experience and good times will be a bonus.
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 have focused on my above water swimming in addition to my underwaters. At practice I focus on my technique most of the time, and am currently working mostly on the smaller aspects of my races.
Q: You started swimming at age 5, and joined the Suburban Swim Club six years ago. What has been your favorite experience with Suburban Swim Club?
A: Suburban Swim Club has been a part of my life for a very long time and going to practice to not only train hard but also to see my friends has been a privilege. Going to practice and laughing with my teammates as well as pushing each other in the pool will always be the best part of my day and make up my favorite experiences.
Q: You’ve had a number of valuable swim mentors, including Charlie Kennedy at Suburban Swim Club and Jimmy Turley at Harriton. What have been the most important things you have learned from them?
A: Coach Charlie Kennedy and Jimmy Turley have taught me many lessons in the pool regarding technique and my swimming, however the lessons they have taught me outside of the pool will be the ones that stick with me. They have both taught me the importance of gratitude and always taking advantage of the opportunities presented to me. Additionally, they have conveyed to me the importance of not overthinking the simple things, and learning to have a more positive mindset.
Q: What swimming accomplishment with your club team (Suburban Seahawks) are you most proud of and why?
A: I am most proud of attending NCSA’s the last couple of summers in Indianapolis, as well as attending the TYR Pro Series last summer in Mission Viejo, Cal. I am proud of these accomplishments because these were both meets that exposed me to a higher level of competition.
Q: What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: My favorite swimming venue is Keystone Aquatics in Carlisle. Every meet I have been to at Keystone, the environment has always been fun and encouraging.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-meet preparation on the day of a meet.
A: For my pre-meet preparation I always eat a bagel for breakfast, and pack my bags for the pool the night before. I then attend prelims, go to lunch at Panera or Chipotle and lastly take a nap before finals.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Harriton? What do you think you’d like to major in at the University of Pennsylvania?
A: My favorite course at Harriton was the micro and macroeconomics course I took last year. As of right now I do not know what I want to major in, however I am currently interested in International Relations.
Fun facts – Kate Levensten
Favorite book: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
Favorite author: Colleen Hoover.
Favorite TV show: The Gilmore Girls.
Favorite movie: 16 Candles.
Favorite athlete: Katie Ledecky.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Anything by Rihanna.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Costa Rica.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Panera.
Person I most admire, and why: “My parents because they continue to be the most influential role models in my life through their continued hard work and positive outlook on life.”
Family members: parents Kevin and Alyssa, 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.)
