JEFF FIELDER Editor
GERING – Hailey Rickey, a senior at Gering High School who competes on the Scottsbluff/Gering Seacats swimming and diving team, is this week’s Nspire Today! Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Rickey has been involved in swimming since she was 6 years old. She’ll compete in next week’s state meet on the 200 medley relay team. In addition to swimming, she’s the senior captain on the Color Guard team, and she was the volleyball team’s manager the last two seasons. Her parents are Nicole Egan and Travis Rickey.
Q: What swimming events do you compete in?
RICKEY: “I swim the 500 and the 200 freestyles. I’m also on the relays. Right now, we’re getting our medley relay ready for state.”
Q: Are you pleased with how this season has gone?
RICKEY: “I wish my times would have been a little bit better this season, but I think as a group, we’ve had a really good season.”
Q: What was your best meet this season?
RICKEY: “I definitely think the Kearney meet in January was my best meet. I was really positive with myself, and I was very satisfied with my performance.”
Q: How many times have you competed at the state meet?
RICKEY: “I went my freshman and sophomore years, and then I took a break my junior year. So, this will be my third year at state.”
Q: How excited are you to compete at state again, especially as a senior?
RICKEY: “State is completely different than any other meet we’ve had this season. It’s amazing to compete with girls from all around the state.”
Q: For you, how important was it to get back to state this year?
RICKEY: “I think I was a little more determined this year. Since this is my last year, it was definitely important to me to make it back to state again.”
Q: Have you felt more pressure being a senior?
RICKEY: “Yes. I was really hard on myself because I wanted to do very well.”
Q: Do you feel like you’ve made steady progress this season?
RICKEY: “I do. I’ve dropped a lot of time throughout this season in both of my events. I’m very happy with how far I’ve come.”
Q: What is your goal for the state meet?
RICKEY: “I think our medley relay can do really well. I think we compare very well to a lot of the other teams that will be there.”
Q: Who are the other swimmers on the medley relay?
RICKEY: “Talera Kinsey (senior), Megan Kicken (freshman), and Erin Hayhurst (senior).”
Q: Has the 500 freestyle always been one of your primary events?
RICKEY: “I started swimming the 500 when I was about 10 years old. The 500 has always been my event. The 200 kind of came into play my freshman year.”
Q: Describe the strategy that’s involved in the 500 freestyle.
RICKEY: “For me, I break it down to 100s. So for my first 100, I know I need to go out not easy but not too fast, either. In the second 100, I try to keep my muscles loose, and in the middle of the race I try to keep my strokes long. In the fourth 100, I know I need to be fast, and the last 100 is always the hardest one, so you need to be really strong.”
Q: During a long race like that, what goes through your mind?
RICKEY: “Sometimes I have songs stuck in my head, and sometimes I just focus on my breathing and my stroke.”
Q: Are you planning to compete in swimming in college?
RICKEY: “Yes, I’ve committed to Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.”
Q: How excited are you about the opportunity to compete in college?
RICKEY: “I’m super excited to be able to swim for the next four years. It’s always been a dream of mine.”
Q: Why did you decide to go to Grinnell College?
RICKEY: “Their coach and I really hit if off. I love the training she does in the program, and they just built a new pool about five years ago.”
Q: Describe how much swimming means to you.
RICKEY: “Growing up, swimming was always a constant in my life. I could not imagine my life without swimming or being in a pool. No matter what went wrong or how stressed out I got, I always knew that if I went to the pool and I stared at that black line on the bottom, I could clear my head and everything would be fine.”
Q: Over the years, have you competed in other sports, too?
RICKEY: “It’s always been swimming for me.”
Q: Talk about the time and hard work that’s needed to be a competitive swimmer.
RICKEY: “To be a good, competitive swimmer, it takes a lot of determination, and you have to be really committed to wake up every morning at 5 to be at practice by 5:30 and also to be at practice for three hours after school. We put in so much yardage every practice. But it’s definitely worth it. I love seeing all my hard work pay off. Also, my teammates help me stay motivated – they help me get through our tough practices.”
Q: How close do you feel you are to reaching your peak as a swimmer?
RICKEY: “I’m not sure, but I’m hoping I’m still a couple years away from that. After taking a break my junior year, I’m still getting back into it.”
Q: So what happened your junior year? Did you get injured?
RICKEY: “I went out for swimming, but I had mono for about six weeks [during the swim season]. I was able to compete for a little bit, but having mono just takes a lot out of you.”
Q: Did having to sit out most of last season affect you this season?
RICKEY: “Yes, definitely. I knew after taking the year off that it would be so much harder this season than if I had been able to stay with it. I definitely felt like I had some things to prove to myself this season.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed being part of the Seacat program?
RICKEY: “Being a Seacat is completely different than any other program I’ve been a part of. We are definitely a family. Putting in all those hours at the pool, you get really close with the people you train with.”
Q: You said you’re also a manager for the volleyball team. How many years did you do that, and what was that experience like?
RICKEY: “Two years. The volleyball girls were all really nice. I took stats for them. We formed a really nice bond.”
Q: What led you to becoming the volleyball team’s manager?
RICKEY: “I was joking around with Coach Cochran one day about how I would be her manager and I would take stats. She took me up on my offer.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
RICKEY: “I love to spend time with my friends and my family.”
Q: What do you want to pursue as a major in college?
RICKEY: “I want to major in math with a minor in teaching. I’ve had a couple really great math teachers who have shown me that you can have fun and be smart while being involved in the activities you love.”
Q: After college, do you hope to return to the Gering/Scottsbluff area to teach?
RICKEY: “I think it’s a possibility.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed your high school career overall at Gering?
RICKEY: “High school has been really fun. It’s kind of insane to me that it’s going to be over in just a few months.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
RICKEY: “Probably today’s pop hits.”
Q: Favorite TV show?
RICKEY: “Friends.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
RICKEY: “Say ‘thank you’ and be more thankful.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Gering High School?
RICKEY: “Faith Kennedy. She’s never afraid to say ‘Hi’ to me in the hallway, and she makes sure I’m having a good day.”
Q: On the Seacat team, which athlete seems to make people laugh the most?
RICKEY: “Alanna Becker. Alanna is not afraid to be herself. She’s not afraid to dance and sing no matter who is watching her. She makes everyone smile.”
Q: How has swimming helped shape you as a person?
RICKEY: “I think swimming has helped me build bonds with people that I never would have had otherwise. I think swimming has also taught me a lot about commitment and working hard.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Gering?
RICKEY: “Growing up in a small town is something I would never trade. It’s so nice to know your neighbors and know everyone you see walking down the street.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
RICKEY: “Flyover Brewing Company because I work there, and also because everyone is always so kind there. It’s like a family atmosphere.”
Q: What is your favorite food item there?
RICKEY: “I like to order the pretzels.”
Q: What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled to?
RICKEY: “Grand Teton National Park.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
RICKEY: “The Monument. That’s what Gering and Scottsbluff are known for.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
RICKEY: “I have a younger brother, TJ. He’s a freshman at Gering High School.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
