Breaking record after record, Emme Starzman shines on the Woodland swim team.
“One of my proudest moments was definitely breaking the 100 breaststroke record last swim season,” said Starzman. “However, my [overall] proudest moment so far would have to have been when I made finals in the 200 Breast at Senior Championships during the summer.”
The Senior Championship is a meet held in the summer. Swimmers, meeting the required time, are allowed to participate.
“The Senior Championships have two different seasons: short course and long course. Long course season is during the summer. The long course has Olympic size pools,” said Starzman. “In the summer I swam the long course. I swam this meet on my separate team, CDOGS.”
This summer was extremely monumental for Starzman. Not only did she make finals for the 200 Breast, but also learned a lot from an injury. Starzman had a bulging disc in her lower back that was pressing a nerve, causing major pain throughout her back and legs. The pain affected her swimming abilities both physically and mentally. Injuries can either discourage or encourage athletes and Starzman did not want to be discouraged.
“I had to learn how to be patient while trying to take care of my mental and physical health,” said Starzman. “I had to learn how to address the situation in terms of what swimming looked like and how I was going to recover to my best ability.”
Starzman’s Woodland teammates help her work through her injuries. They motivate and encourage her, just as a family would. They continue to push her to be the best she can be.
“I remember going against Seymour this season and expressing my nerves to my teammate. She was right by my side, encouraging me and hyping me up,” said Starzman. “Throughout the meet, my coaches and other teammates were cheering me on. This boosted my confidence.”
Another large support system for Starzman is within her household.
“My biggest mentors are my parents,” said Starzman. “They continuously push me beyond my limits to achieve bigger goals.”
Starzman’s parents have watched her career grow since she was six years old when she started swimming competitively. Every year, her goals change and she continues to push herself. A vision board for her goals contains gaining a national cut, swimming in college, swimming in state opens, and getting the NVL record in the 100 breaststroke.
In terms of college, Starzman is focused on maintaining her education and her swimming career. While Starzman still has two years before she has to fully commit to a college, her top two choices are to swim at the University of Florida as a Gator and at the University of San Diego as a Triton.
While setting and achieving goals, Starzman is also focused on encouraging younger swimmers. She uses her experience and motivation from her teammates and family to push future superstars to keep swimming.
“[As a swimmer,] you will have the most fun of your life with the people on your team and make the best memories.”
