As the fall sports season comes to a close, we take a look at all state qualifiers from fall sports: volleyball, swim and cross country.

Three-year girls swim captain Maddie Strasen (’16) returned to states for the third straight year, placing sixth in the 100-yard breaststroke this time around. After a four-year career at Robinson that saw her break six school records (four individual and two relay), Strasen will head north to swim for the University of Vermont next year.

Q: How did it feel qualifying for states in two events for a third straight year?

A: It was definitely a prideful feeling since I love representing Robinson at a big meet like that. Plus, it’s always the most fun meet of the year, so I was excited to go to Stuart again.

Q: What was it like medaling in your final state meet?

A: Medaling is something I’ve wanted since I made states my sophomore year. I was always so jealous seeing other swimmers taking pictures and walking around with their medals. When I was presented with my medal at the podium, of course it was an amazing feeling to know I worked so hard to get there, and I wouldn’t trade that feeling for the world. Essentially, though, the memories I made throughout my four years of high school are more valuable than any piece of hardware. My medal is still cool though.

Q: What are your goals as you look toward your collegiate career?

A: Looking towards college, it isn’t my goal to be the best on the team, I want to be the best for the team. Whatever they might need me for, I’m willing to do. Like I said, friendships and memories are the most important to me and college is going to present me with so many opportunities for those things. Statistically speaking, at Vermont there are pool records, freshmen records, and varsity records in both relays and individual events, and I think it would be amazing to shoot for some of those.

Q: How will you look back on your career as a Knight swimmer and captain?

A: Looking back, I’m not going to remember my times or the statistics, but I’ll remember how it felt to break individual records, how we celebrated when we broke a relay record, team cheers and team parties, and the unfaltering support of my coaches and teammates.

Q: You’ve set records throughout your high-school career. What up-and-coming swimmers do you think will help fill the space you leave?

A: I know I’m leaving the team in good hands. Unfortunately, DiFed won’t be coaching next year, but coach Laura has helped motivate the team more than I’ve ever seen before. The first group of kids who come to mind are Nathaniel Gartner (’18), Chris Quach (’18) and Matthew Reinecke (’18). They worked so hard this season and were really close to getting a relay to states. Not only that, but they’re natural leaders in and out of the pool. Since they’re only sophomores now, I trust them to lead for the next two years.