Senior and varsity swimmer Brianna Weinstein began swimming in Mommy and Me classes when she was only six months old. Little did she know that by age 17, she would be going to the 2012 Olympic Swim Trials.
“Swimming has been a large part of my life,” Weinstein said. “The thrills of competition, the [sense of accomplishment] I feel after my goal is achieved and the encouragement from my friends and teammates have kept me going. Without my competitiveness and passion for swimming, I would not have come this far.”
In 2011, Weinstein qualified for two Olympic trial events at the California-Nevada Sectional Championships in Clovis, Calif. She swam the 200-meter breaststroke in 2 minutes 33.33 seconds and the 400-meter individual medley in 4:56.62, placing first and second respectively.
“I’m really proud of how far I came,” Weinstein said. “I think being able to bounce back in perseverance after tough times has made me who I am. I’ve had confidence in my coaches and teammates to help me perform my best.”
Weinstein trains six days a week, three hours a day, in addition to a 1 hour, 30 minutes practice on Monday and Wednesday mornings before school. She trains at Northwood High’s pool with Irvine Nova Aquatics under coach Ken LaMont.
“Brianna and I have a strong relationship,” LaMont said. “We seem to have the same goals and plans for the future so I can easily remind her of the goals we have created together, and she will push herself toward them. We have shared good times and rough, but she makes me very proud to be her coach.”
Weinstein’s main objective is to place in the top 16 at the Olympic trials held in Omaha, Neb. from June 25 to July 2. In order to participate in the London 2012 Summer Olympics, she must place in the top two in her events- the 200-meter breaststroke and the 400-meter individual medley.
“I’m really excited, but I’m also nervous,” Weinstein said. “Getting into top 16 is hard, and getting into top two is even harder, but the experience of going to the trials and being able to compete at his high level meet is enough for me [for now] because it’s the fastest meet in the world.”
Weinstein’s success is acknowledged and admired by her friends as well.
“Brianna is an awesome friend, and a dedicated athlete,” senior, varsity swimmer and captain of Irvine High’s girls swim team Julianne Cook said. “She deserves everything she has earned. She was born to be in the water. It’s amazing how fast she swims. If she continues swimming, I’m almost positive she’ll make it to the 2016 Olympics.”
Weinstein will attend and swim for the University of Southern California with a scholarship this coming fall and plans to major in business administration.
“My goal was to challenge myself academically and athletically even when I was young,” Weinstein said. “The goals I had in mind as a child is coming to reality, and I’m really proud of myself and my accomplishments.”
