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Whitworth Today shoots the breeze with Samantha Kephart, '08, winner of two national championships – in the 100- and 200-yard butterfly events, respectively – at the 2006 NCAA Division III swim tournament.
Tell us a bit about your background.
I was born in Santa Maria, Calif. My parents put me in swim lessons when I was two years old, and then, when I was five, they signed me up for the local swim club; that's when I started swimming competitively. My brother was also a swimmer, but then he decided to become a cyclist after he graduated high school, and now he does triathlons.
Are you active in sports other than swimming? Any particular favorites?
Right now I'm not participating in any other sports, because swimming and school seem to take up all of my time. When I was little, I was in ballet, tap, gymnastics and swimming all at the same time (I still can't figure out how I was able to do that). I also played water polo my freshman and sophomore years of high school, and I gave cycling a try one summer, but I always went back to swimming. Besides swimming, my favorite sport is cycling. I really like to watch the Tour de France during the summer; those guys have a lot of determination and motivation.
How did you choose Whitworth?
I chose it for the great education program and the swim program. My club coach graduated from here and he was roommates with [head swim coach] Steve Schadt. He told me I should check it out, so I decided to come on a recruiting trip here and I loved it. Everyone was so nice, friendly, and helpful. The swimmers treated me like a teammate before I was even a student here, and they all made me feel very welcome. Whitworth has definitely fulfilled my expectations.
Whom would you most want to thank for your national championships?
I would thank my family. They've given up so much for me and have done everything they can to help me reach my goals. At home, they came to every single swim meet I had, and I know that they would do the same here if they could. I wouldn't be where I am today without my family.
What's your plan for the future? Will the discipline of being on the swim team help you to reach your goals?
My ultimate goal is to make the Olympic Trials. If I end up doing that this summer, my new goal will be to make finals (top eight) in whichever events I compete in. The discipline of being on the swim team will help; I'm willing to do whatever it takes to reach my goals, and my teammates and coaches help me out a lot.
What do you really think when you have to get up in the dark during the winter to eat breakfast with your teammates and train?
My first thought when I wake up in the morning is, What am I doing?! Go back to sleep! I'm pretty much used to waking up really early in the morning because I've been doing it since I was 12, so it's kind of my routine now. Get up before the rest of the world, swim, eat breakfast, go to class and do homework, swim again, eat dinner, and do more homework and studying. During the college season, I get up at 5 a.m. When I'm at home, I get up at 4:30 a.m. I get a chance to sleep in if we don't have practice on Wednesday mornings, and on Sundays. I definitely take full advantage of that.
Read more about National Champion Sam Kephart and other Whitworth student-athletes at www.whitworth.edu/athletics.
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