Knoch graduate's versatility was a boon in pool at Grove City
GROVE CITY — After a successful swimming career at Knoch, Hannah Shoemaker was unsure whether she would continue in the sport in college.
It was a difficult decision for Shoemaker to make.
She had competed in the pool since the age of 5 and it appeared it was going to be over.
“I hadn't planned on swimming at all,” Shoemaker said.
As a mechanical engineering major at Grove City College, Shoemaker figured she wouldn't have the time to pursue a sport.
In fact, she was warned against it.
But she had an itch that needed to be scratched and she found herself in the pool with members of the swim team.
It started out as just one-hour practices in the fall, long before the season was set to start.
Then, a future teammate asked her, “Are you coming to the real practices?”
Shoemaker shrugged and said, “Sure, why not.”
“I kind of got sucked into it,” she said, chuckling.
It was easier for her than she thought to juggle a sport and her studies.
“They became my friend group and we'd spend time at meals after practice,” Shoemaker said. “Swimming was my social time and it made me feel like I wasn't missing out.”
While Shoemaker only swam exhibition races as a freshman, her times improved.
To learn more about Hannah Shoemaker, read Friday's Butler Eagle.
