Clayton Jones, an active competitive swimmer, once said, “I can’t fly, but swimming is the next best thing. It’s harmony and balance. The water is my sky.”
To senior Michele Gingher, this quote hits home. Gingher has been swimming competitively since she was 12, and now she has swum her way to the top of the Eastern Michigan University women’s team.
“I try to swim 100 back, 200 back and occasionally dabble with the 100 fly,” she said.
Her freshman year started out with a bang. During the EMU Invitational she won the 100 back and placed fourth in the 200 back. She also ended in fourth place in the 400-medley relay during the meet.
In her sophomore year, Gingher placed second in the 100 back and took third place in the 200 back during a dual-meet against Oakland. She also finished in third place in both the 100 back and the 200 back against Buffalo.
During her junior year she was able to finish in 16th place for the 200 back at the Mid-American Conference championships, clocking in at 2:04.88.
“She has been an excellent backstroker for us, and we sorely missed her last year when she was studying in France,” coach
Peter Linn said.
Gingher also enjoys the friendships she has made throughout the seasons with the other girls on the team.
“My favorite part about being on the swim team is the camaraderie that comes with it,” she said. “Being on a team helps a grey sky seem blue, a frown turn upside down and makes swimming fun. I would say that having that privilege has had a
tremendous impact on my time spent here in the best of ways.”
Gingher is very much a part of her team and enjoys being an active member. She will cheer on her other teammates and work hard to perform her best at meets. She brings positive energy that rubs off on those who meet her.
“She is an energetic and outgoing person who finds a lot of fun in life and brings that to the team environment,” Linn said.
When Gingher isn’t swimming for the team during the off-season, she still focuses on it.
“Outside of swimming I like to think about swimming,” she said. “During the summer I tend to spend most of my time not ‘swimming’ at the pool anyways. I also read novels and occasionally go on rollerblading rides to relieve stress.”
Looking back on her accomplishments throughout her years at Eastern, it is clear Gingher has brought enthusiasm to the team and has put in hard work to get to where she is as a swimmer.
“There have been many memorable moments throughout my years of swimming but I feel my biggest accomplishment will be the first week of March 2012 when I have completely and utterly finished my swimming career,” Gingher said.
Until that time, her energetic and fun personality will continue to impact the team for the better.
