Briana Emig is a senior freestyle distance swimmer for the Eastern Michigan University women’s swim team who comes to EMU from Pittsburgh, Pa.
She has three siblings, an older brother who played tennis at Youngstown State University, a younger brother and a younger sister.
Emig said she did play volleyball competitively for a short time in junior high school, but she was too short to play the sport and knew that she would not be able to make it.
At age 7, Emig committed herself full time to swimming, where she said she always felt at home.
Emig swam in high school, but had to do it in an unconventional way. Because there was no high school swim team, Emig resorted to club swimming as a member of Team Pittsburgh Aquatics.
On the academic side, Emig currently is double majoring in psychology and communications.
Emig explained the difference between the minor and double major as not a big one.
“Instead of having the minor, you can take three more classes and major in it,” she said. “So I figured, why not.”
In the Mid-American Conference, student-athletes are recognized for
their efforts not only in their respective sports, but in the classroom as well. Currently, Emig has a 3.9 grade point average. Two seasons ago, she was named an academic All-MAC and All-MAC First Team for her efforts in the pool.
Emig is on track to graduate in April and plans to attend graduate school. She hopes to become a mental health counselor but is unsure what institution she wants to attend to further her education. Emig is currently filling out applications to schools across the country to see what institutions will accept her.
Her favorite athlete is swimmer and multiple-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte. She said that Lochte is a great athlete, but also “very cool and attractive.”
When looking back at her time as an EMU swimmer, her greatest moments were qualifying to make the NCAA National Championship and making it to the Olympic trials this past summer with her fellow teammates.
When Emig is not in the pool, she likes to sleep because it helps her regain the necessary energy it takes to be a great swimmer.
When asked what her favorite food is, Emig said that it is anything that comes out of the Yonana maker. For those of you not familiar with what exactly a Yonana maker is, Emig made sure to explain.
“It is a machine in which you take frozen bananas and put it into the blender,” Emig said. “Once it is put into the machine, it turns into frozen yogurt or ice cream. Before I put the bananas into the blender, I get them from the store and then put them into the freezer until it is frozen. Once the bananas are frozen completely, then you smash them and put them into the freezer. They taste so great. I also like to freeze applesauce and put it into the blender. That is also very enjoyable to eat.”
Emig said she likes different kinds of music, but does not have a favorite genre or artist.
Emig prefers watching movies instead of TV, but she likes to watch whatever comes on at night while eating pomegranates with her roommate.
Emig’s favorite place to shop is Target and she said shopping is a good way for her to relax.
