As a senior backstroke swimmer for the Eastern Michigan University women’s swim team, Amanda Kiefer is not shy about how she feels about her coaches and teammates.
“I love swimming for Eastern,” Kiefer said with a smile. “I love the closeness of our team. My coaches are great and very motivational.”
The 21-year-old started swimming 17 years ago when she jumped headfirst into a summer league. She then moved on to the MCY Marlins Club Team in Piqua, Ohio, her hometown. From that moment on, she continued to grow stronger as a swimmer, and she has improved throughout her years at Eastern, as well.
During her sophomore year, Kiefer placed sixth in the 100 backstroke and fourth in the 200 backstroke at the Mid-American Conference tournament. Then last year, as a junior, she finished fourth in both the 100 and 200 backstrokes at the conference championships. She also won the 200 backstroke against Xavier with a 2:09
finish. Kiefer then made the All-MAC second team.
“Amanda is a great leader in and out of the pool,” coach Tracy Martin said. “She is hard working and dedicated to making the team the best we can possibly be. She has done a great job making sure the women’s team is involved in community outreach programs by setting up volunteer opportunities for the girls.”
Kiefer has not only done a fantastic job swimming for the team and helping the morale of her teammates, she has also done nothing but wonderful things for her team and there is no doubt that she will continue.
“She has done so many things to help the team it is hard to name one thing,” Martin said. “I know all the girls and coaching staff really appreciate all the time and effort she has put into being a great captain this year.”
If Kiefer weren’t swimming, she would be living her second dream she has always wanted to pursue.
“I love to sing,” she said. “If I wasn’t swimming or in school right now, I would probably be in Nashville trying to become a country singer.
Kiefer also likes to read and watch movies when she isn’t busy with the swim team.
“Something that not many people know about me is that I am a complete clean freak,” Kiefer said. “My room is always clean, and I tend to freak out if something is out of place. My bed is always made. Even at 5:30 a.m. when we leave for practice.”
Kiefer seems like a magician balancing swimming, school, friends and family all while keeping a cheerful disposition in the midst of it all. She has accomplished so much in her four years here at Eastern, and many will be saddened when she graduates with a major in exercise science.
“I think after last year my greatest accomplishments were making the second All-MAC team, and finishing fourth in both my events, and dropping time from the previous year,” Kiefer said. “But I think we’ll see a bigger accomplishment after this season’s MAC Championship.”
