Sports are unique, but they all consist of teams or individuals working towards the same goal of taking home shiny metals, plaques, or trophies. Swimming is unique; early morning practices in the cold, practices after school, working out with a team, and then seemingly all alone when it’s time to compete in the water. However, stellar Brookfield Central swimmer Kennedy Rainwater (‘24) understood the importance of the team and the individual while swimming at BC. Rainwater (‘24) has excelled since a freshman and will now swim at the NCAA Division 1 level with Illinois. She ranks tenth in the state with impressive 500 and 1000 freestyle times. The college she will be attending, Illinois, is a D1 Big Ten college and is very accomplished at swimming. To get to know this soon-to-be D1 athlete, I did a short Q&A about what got her into swimming and how she ended up at Illinois. Congrats on your commitment, Kennedy!

Who got you into swimming?

My parents.

What’s your favorite stroke and race?

My favorite stroke is probably freestyle and my favorite race is either the 500 free or 1000 free.

What is your favorite swimming memory?

The first summer I swam with Elmbrook in 2022 because it was new and I loved the team.

What made you want to swim in college?

My love for the sport and how it gives [me] goals and standards which I [can] work toward.

What are you most excited about for college?

I’m super excited to be involved and a part of the team at Illinois and to meet and become friends with the girls on the team.

What career or major are you studying at Illinois?

I plan on majoring in Kinesiology to get a doctorate of physical therapy later.

What are you going to miss most about Brookfield Central?

The people that I met here both on the high school swim team and in classes.

I also did a quick questionnaire with a teammate, Katie Larson (‘25) about Kennedy as a teammate. 

What will you miss most about having Kennedy on your team?

I will miss Kennedy during distance sets because she always tried very hard and always encouraged everyone. 

What is your favorite memory you have of Kennedy on your team?

My favorite memory with Kennedy is the sleepovers I had with her.

Being a student-athlete is tough, but she is balancing it all. The work it takes is no joke! Congratulations to Kennedy Rainwater and her commitment to Illinois!!