Q&A with Caroline Kenney

Story Links

Sophomore Caroline Kenney and the Cavalier women’s swimming and diving team hosts Pittsburgh Saturday at the Aquatic and Fitness Center in the first home dual meet of the season. Diving events will begin at 9:30 a.m. with swimming events commencing at 11 a.m.; admission to all home meets is free. Kenney, a native of Suwanee, Ga., recently caught up with VirginiaSports.com to talk about the season, how she has improved as a second year, her major and some of her favorite books.

Question: How was this past weekend for the team, earning wins at Duke and North Carolina?
Kenney: It felt really great and at the end of the weekend we were all just so excited, knowing we are so close to tapering for ACCs. We are all so close to swimming fast. Everyone had good swims this weekend so it really pumped us up and boosted our confidence a lot.

Question: How would you describe the season up to this point?
Kenney: We have had a pretty solid season throughout. It was a tough fall and winter training definitely was rough. We are starting not to be completely tired that we can’t even move. We are looking forward to what is ahead.

Question: What will it be like to finally have a home meet this weekend?
Kenney: It’s so weird to think that last year we had our first home meet right off the bat. It will be nice to swim in our own pool.

Question: What have you learned as a second year that you didn’t know as a first year? How have you improved?
Kenney: First year was a lot of adjusting and it was pretty difficult getting used to all the training. Having to go really fast in dual meets throughout the season – we didn’t have those high expectations with our club teams midseason. This year, knowing what to expect and being used to the training has helped. I’ve also swam some in the distance group. It’s been a lot more positive year for me and I just feel so much more involved in the team.

Question: Why did you choose to come to UVa?
Kenney: It was my last recruiting trip so I was getting down to making a decision. I came here and just loved it immediately. Loved the Grounds, loved the team, loved the school. I wanted to get away from Georgia. I knew it was a good fit.

Question: Have you thought about a major yet?
Kenney: I am going to declare as an economics major in the next few weeks. I don’t really know what I want to do with it yet, but I’m definitely going to be an econ major.

Question: What has been your favorite class at UVa?
Kenney: Probably Econ 202 – macroeconomics. I really liked my professor; he was kind of awesome. It was my first A so that made me like it even more.

Question: What is your favorite event to swim?
Kenney: I would say the 200 back just because I back half it a lot and it’s really fun to catch up to people. I think right now it may be my best event even though I don’t swim it a lot at dual meets.

Question: What do you like to do for fun?
Kenney: I am a really big nerd and I like to read a lot. Recently I have been reading the Millennium series – the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the Girl Who Played with Fire and the Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest. It’s kind of taken me awhile to read them. I saw the movie after I read the first book and decided I need to read the second and third books.

Question: What is your all-time favorite book?
Kenney: I would probably say The Lovely Bones. And I love Harry Potter and the Hunger Games.