It has been said that the best way to lead is by example. This season, sophomore swimmers A.J. Penninga and Katie Nagelkirk have done just that, playing key roles in their teams’ successes throughout the season.

Nagelkirk began swimming in fourth grade when she joined a rec league in Zeeland and swam throughout all four of her years at Holland Christian. She was initially attracted to Calvin by its strong reputation for academic excellence. “I wanted to be challenged academically . . . [and] be a student athlete,” she said. Encouraged further by the interest of the Calvin swim coaches, Nagelkirk’s decision was set.

At this time she is declared as a math education major. She hopes to teach high school after graduation, and says that, while she would not mind getting away from the Grand Rapids area for awhile, she would most likely find her way back eventually. “This is where my heart is,” she admitted.

Nagelkirk is naturally very pleased with the past season, which climaxed last week for the women in the MIAA crown. “We pulled together really well,” she said. “[The season] couldn’t have gone any better.” Throughout the course of the season she was repeatedly impressed by the dedication and hard work of the swimmers on both the men’s and women’s teams, especially during their trip to Florida for training during Christmas Break. Although the teams had hoped for tropical temperatures, the swimmers found themselves standing along the pool edge in 39 degree weather. In spite of the cold, the teams swam a hundred 100s, an extremely tough set even in prime weather conditions.

Nagelkirk’s personal swim season was just as impressive this year as her team’s. Last weekend she captured the MIAA title with NCAA qualifying times in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events; her time of 24.45 in the 50 also broke a school record. She set another school record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:01.30.

Does Katie do anything else in her spare time? “During swim season, no,” she answered with a short laugh. However, when she is not spending hours in the pool every day she enjoys playing volleyball, another sport she participated in at Holland Christian. Coming into Calvin, Nagelkirk was actually debating whether to continue her career in swimming or volleyball. Feeling that she had more potential to excel in the pool, she chose swimming and has not regretted her decision in the least.

A.J. Penninga, whose given name is Adrian, began swimming when he was in third grade. A “local kid” like Nagelkirk, Penninga attended Grand Rapids Christian High School and was very active in swimming during his time there.

The decision to come to Calvin was a fairly easy one for Penninga as well. Although there is the obvious connection between Calvin and Christian High, he was also drawn here by Calvin’s respected education program and by the prospect of swimming once again with former teammates. A swimmer since third grade, Penninga was recruited by the Calvin coaching staff as Nagelkirk was; since that time, Penninga says that Calvin has gone “above and beyond” his expectations.

Although his major is not yet officially declared, Penninga is currently leaning heavily towards secondary education and P.E., with possible minors in recreation and computer science.

Penninga is satisfied with the past season. He certainly met his goal to qualify for Nationals which will take place next month; he hopes to pull off a repeat of his performance in the MIAA Conference meet last weekend. During the meet, Penninga managed to destroy a 15-year old Calvin record in the 200 IM with a time of 1:57.66. He also produced impressive results in the 400 IM and 100 freestyle, and was a member of the championship 800 freestyle relay team. The 400 freestyle relay team, of which Penninga was also a member, set yet another school record with a time of 3:07.59.

No matter what happens at Nationals, Penninga said that “it was an awesome season.”

Many athletes have a personal pre-game (in this case pre-meet) ritual, and Penninga is no exception. On the day of any meet, he always wears his “lucky” sweatshirt, which he describes as, “an old, ratty Adidas sweatshirt made in 1981 that I got for like a dollar at some Goodwill store.” In addition to the shirt, Penninga also listens to the same CD during his warm-up.

Penninga is active outside of swimming as a co-youth leader at Sunshine CRC here in Grand Rapids. He also enjoys rock climbing and hiking.