Competition is the heart that drives athletes, and sets many apart from the rest. For sophomore Chelsa Messinger, competition is what motivates her in the pool. Messinger swims many events for the women’s swimming team, but her favorite being the 100 and 200 backstroke.

“I love the competition aspect, and racing is my favorite part of swimming, just beating the person next to you,” Messinger said. “I’m so competitive at everything.”

It even goes as far as games she plays with team members during trips. Messinger said one time on the bus ride to a meet with the swim team, team members were playing a game using all the letters of the alphabet to relate to foods. Messinger’s competitiveness didn’t stop her in dominating the game.

This drive to succeed for Messinger is rooted in her past and being a top swimmer in high school.

“When I was younger it was really easy for me to be top in the state,” Messinger said. “As I’ve gotten older I’ve let that get in the way of my training, and didn’t practice as hard as I could have.”

Now Messinger said this year is going to be different.

“This season I work hard at every practice,” Messinger said. “I have concentrated on swimming harder and swimming strong at every meet.”

Messinger’s goals for this season are to swim at her best times, and score more for the team in dual meets. She also wants to cut a few seconds off of her 200 backstroke time.

Since swimming is such an individual sport, it has a different dynamic than team sports do. Messinger said she likes having an individual aspect, more than when she played softball in high school.

“Swimming is an individual sport, and it’s all on you,” Messinger said. “No one else can make you look bad but you. It’s objective completely.”

Yet having a strong team bond is Messinger’s favorite part about swimming for the Wolfpack.

“My teammates, they are like my best friends. It’s easier to swim fast when everyone around you has a good attitude,” Messinger said. “Since swimming takes up a lot of time, I don’t have much time to have other hobbies.”

According to Messinger, she likes to play the piano and paint when she gets the opportunity — at least as a way to get away from swimming every now and then.

“Keeping a balance, and keeping it all in perspective is what I try to do,” Messinger said. “You can’t swim forever and I just enjoy racing, and enjoy being an athlete.”