Junior Lauren Jurgens is a three-time CCIW champion for the Wheaton women's swim team and also represented Wheaton at the 2010 NCAA Division III Swimming Championships. Below is a brief interview with Lauren.
Q: What is your major?
A: Biology - I want to be a veterinarian.
Q: Why did you choose to attend and swim at Wheaton?
A: My sister attended and swam for Millikin, and she always told me stories about how kind, God-centered, and fun the Wheaton team seemed whenever they interacted at meets. I checked into the school and discovered that it is very competitive academically, which is something I need if I want to get into veterinary school. I also found out that the swim team has a great coach and a wonderful program.
I’ve been swimming since I was 7, so I knew I wanted to continue swimming in college. The competitiveness of the Wheaton team mixed with the more academically-focused nature of a Division III sport as opposed to Division I is a great mix. The fact that Wheaton is a Christian school also drew me in, since faith has always been important to me and I figured that I could learn and grow a lot here.
Q: What is your favorite thing about swimming at Wheaton?
A: I love the team—they are encouraging, inspiring, and some of my best friends here at Wheaton. I also greatly appreciate how all that we do athletically is centered around God—Coach’s weekly devotionals, daily prayer, and team worship really help me recognize how I can swim to give God glory. Practices are challenging, but I still am able to have fun.
Q: What do you enjoy most about Wheaton?
A: I enjoy the general atmosphere on campus. I’ve never been to a campus on which the students or teachers were so ready and willing to help others. The people are just great.
Q: Talk a little bit about your experience competing at the Division III Championships last year?
A: It was really cool to see the caliber of swimmers competing at the meet and to see national records broken. There were some very exciting races. I also enjoyed competing with and talking to swimmers from schools across the U.S.
It was such a great experience to travel to the University of Minnesota, to be with my teammate Moire and my coaches, and to just get the chance to participate in such a highly competitive meet.
