Katelyn Rossick moves from one end of the pool lane to the other with grace and power. Her broad shoulders guide her arms forward as they cut through the water with ease, making her task appear less tiresome than it is. The white and orange swim cap holds her hair back from her face.  Her goggles, strapped tightly around her head, mask hazel brown eyes burning with intent and determination.  With every stroke, she pulls away from her competitors.  In a pool with seven other swimmers, it isn’t hard to pick Rossick out as a champion.  Though she makes victory look effortless, behind every fallen record are hours of practice in and out of the pool.  It’s this type of work ethic, applied to everything she does, that led Rossick to be named a Wendy’s High School Heisman National Finalist.

Rossick, a Middletown High School senior, and the other 11 finalists, six girls and six boys from across the country, were honored for their athletic, academic, and service achievements at a ceremony in New York City on Friday, Dec. 11.  Rossick reached the national level after being nominated by her swim coach and administrators at MHS.  After being selected as the MHS nominee, she made it to state finals, where she again earned the winning title.

At the Heisman ceremony, Rossick, like the other finalists, was featured in a clip that highlighted her journey, but it only began to touch on the motivation that led her to where she is today.

Her older brother has been a playful competitor of Rossick and one of the more prominent sources of motivation.

“We’ve always been pushing each other, not just in swimming but also in academics,” said Rossick. 

With a perfect 4.0 GPA and the potential to be a future chemical or biomedical engineer, Rossick’s top three college choices are Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), John’s Hopkins, and Carnegie Mellon. 

Rossick has always had a knack for science, but her interest in biomedical engineering sparked after cancer took her mother.  With her knowledge, she could one day find a cure. 

Medical and engineering majors in college are not the only things the loss of her mother have inspired Rossick to pursue.  The memories of her mother are also a prime driving source when it comes to swimming.

“She was the one that took me to all my swim practices, taught me how to improve my techniques, and helped me with schoolwork,” said Rossick.

As a young sophomore at the time of the family’s loss, Rossick’s persistence and determination are what got her through the heartbreaking event.

“That was definitely the most traumatic event of my life so far, but if I can make it through that, I think I can make it through just about anything,” said Rossick.

One of Rossick’s more personal relationships is one that she shares with her younger sister, Chelsea Rossick.  Chelsea Rossick said that her sister helps her “24/7,” and that she wouldn’t be “as good of an athlete, swimmer, or person” if it weren’t for her.

Another motivating element of Rossick’s life is her support system.  Her school administrators and swim coach have been supportive throughout Rossick’s journey, especially since they put her up to it. 

“If anyone should be recognized for supporting Katelyn and motivating her, it’s Middletown’s faculty and staff,” said George Rossick, her father.

MHS principal Jay Berno said it “feels great” to have a student from MHS achieving an award of such great magnitude, and that Rossick is “a true reflection of a first class school system.”

Along with the MHS staff, Rossick’s friends and teammates have been there for her every step of the way and look forward to supporting her in the future.

“She’s really an all-around awesome girl, and the best part about her is her modesty,” said MHS senior Justin Beard.

Rossick not only puts in extra work to excel in athletics and academics but also in her everyday life and community service.  She is a member of the National Honors Society and also a prominent volunteer in her church.  To make her already busy schedule even more demanding, she coaches a summer swim team, the Braddock Heights Barracudas.

No matter what she’s doing, whether it’s tutoring a peer, teaching someone new techniques in the pool, or helping out at church, Rossick is always proactive.  She’s an inspirational sister, friend, daughter, athlete, scholar, and role model. 

With or without the High School Heisman title, Rossick has what it takes to stay one stroke ahead of the competition.

The 2009 swim season is about to begin. With more students trying out than ever before, the team has high expectations for the upcoming season.

Middletown High School senior captain Katelyn Rossick is looking forward to the new season and is optimistic about how the season will go.  Along with Rossick, Coni Kroll is also an MHS senior captain.

 “We have had more girls try out for the team this year than we have had in a long time. The skill level is also pretty high so the team should be great,” said Rossick.

The Boys captains are MHS seniors Glen Buxbaum and James Presley.

All of the captains agree this season will be better than the last.

A challenge the swimmers will face this season is only having three practices a week.

“Swimming is the type of sport where a person can lose the skill sets they develop if they don’t practice everyday. Nevertheless, we have a great group of girls this season and I know we have the potential to do well,” said Rossick.

The practices may not be every day but the level of enthusiasm has never been higher.

MHS freshman Aaron Carlstrom, a first year diver, wishes practice was “everyday of the week.” 

Last season, the girls took third place at state; this year they hope to take first.

 MHS sophomore and second year team member Maggie Motherway thinks the team will do well this year. “It’s going to happen, I gotta feeling,” she said.

Although the team has many promising new members, according to Rossick the team needs to improve streamlining underwater off the wall.

The team is expected to do well this season despite the change of practice times.