Ever since senior Valerie Encinas was born she had been swimming, but once she turned 12 she really wanted more, so she started to swim competitively. 

When in season, Encinas makes sure to keep in shape. And for her, the season lasts almost the entire year. 

¨I swim 11 months out of the year for a swim club. I wake up every morning at four and swim for two and a half hours. On Tuesdays, I go to strength training for 30 minutes,¨ Encinas said.

When not in high school swimming she is doing another club league to help train, swimming for USA Swimming in the summer and then for Old Dominion Swim League. 

Encinas also needs to make sure she has a good diet along with her workout routine.

Encinas avoids corn and corn products, sugar, and dairy. “Every once in a while, I can have these things but I usually avoid it in high-competition months. This diet helps me train better,¨ Encinas said.  

This diet helps Encinas perform well in swim meets and helps her train better with her workout.

Right before a swim meet, athletes usually have a routine of doing something special.

¨I usually just listen to any type of music before a meet,¨ Encinas said, noting that she seeks any music that gets her pumped up for the meet.

When with her teammates and coaches, Encinas hopes they describe her as ¨Hard-working and dedicated. I’m always pushing myself to do my best,¨ Encinas said. 

With her hard work, Encinas can swim at Penn State at a division three level while also studying biology.

¨I’m going to a satellite campus for Penn State called Penn State Behrend. I’ll be swimming division three and studying biology,¨ Encinas said

Out of school and swimming Encinas says she doesn’t do much.

¨I don’t have many hobbies. I usually just watch movies and hang out with friends,¨ Encinas said.

Even though Encinas has little time outside of swimming she hopes to swim professionally.

¨It will take a lot of work and dedication but I hope to maybe make it,¨ Encinas said.

To help Encinas’ hard work she got her inspiration from her role model.

¨My role model is Missy Franklin, she is a retired Olympic swimmer who has used her image to help others around her,¨ Encinas said.

Encinas hopes her hard work is enough to become a professional swimmer.