Thursday, Blaise Wittenauer-Lee became just the second swimmer in Seattle University’s program history to compete at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. on the road to Rio 2016.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of her,” head swim coach Craig Nisgor said.
Wittenauer-Lee represented Seattle University in front of a sold-out, 14,000-seat arena and against some of the 1,800 best swimmers in the nation.
“It really may be the biggest meet in the world,” Nisgor said. “It’s a chance to represent our country, and this place goes insane…There is no stage anywhere like this.”
In the third heat of the 200-meter breaststroke, Wittenauer-Lee finished fourth with a time of 2:35.78.
Overall, Wittenauer-Lee finished 75th out of 123 other swimmers, a fantastic feat.
Wittenauer-Lee came into the Olympic Trials ranked No. 109 out of 124 in the 200-meter breaststroke.
“At the end of the day, at this point, in this country, she’s ranked 75th in the country,” Nisgor said, proud of her solid showing on the biggest stage of her career.
Her time did not qualify her to move on to the semifinals (swimmers must be in the Top 16 to move on), but her performance in the incredible setting of the Olympic Trials is reason enough to be happy.
“It was the best experience of my life,” Wittenauer-Lee said. “I didn’t really have any idea what I was in for. You hear stories and you hear about other people’s experiences, but walking onto the pool deck for the first time and seeing this amazing stadium that they built from the ground up and this whole event they put on…it’s so amazing, and it’s such a special experience and a special moment that I won’t forget.”
Nisgor said this was the most relaxed he’s ever seen her, and he thinks it’s because she knows she deserved to be among the best.
“When you qualify for an event like this and you finally realize you deserve to be here, it takes a lot of pressure off,” Nisgor said. “It was great to see her feel relaxed and be up there and realize she earned her spot here.”
Wittenauer-Lee agreed that she felt more relaxed than usual.
It wasn’t nerves that took over.
A different emotion made its way to the surface instead.
“The main emotion I was feeling was excitement and readiness to swim and race these girls next to me,” Wittenauer-Lee said. “I did get a moment when I was behind the blocks and heard my parents, [Nisgor, and assistant coach Katherine Kubancik] cheering for me. I was so happy I got a little teary-eyed.”
Wittenauer-Lee said she thinks she grew as a swimmer this season, and saw herself changing for the better.
“This season was easily the most amazing season of my life and it just motivates me more for next season,” Wittenauer-Lee said.
She said she’s ready to get back to work, and that she doesn’t feel like she needs as much of a break as in-between previous seasons.
“I need maybe the flight home as a break,” Wittenauer-Lee joked.
This season, Wittenauer-Lee made history, capturing the program’s first individual Western Athletic Conference (WAC) titles, winning gold in both the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke.
“To have Blaise win two Championships this year was amazing, and one thing that’s even more amazing about SU is the feel of the team,” Nisgor said. “She’s a total team player with everyone who we have, and there’s no question they’re happy about everything she’s accomplished.”
Wittenauer-Lee wrote her name in the record book multiple times, claiming All-Time Top 10 times in the 50 freestyle (No. 3 – 24.03), 100 freestyle (No. 3 – 52.02), 200 freestyle (No. 1 – 1:50.24), 100 breaststroke (No. 1 – 1:01.89), 200 breaststroke (No. 1 – 2:11.49), 200 individual medley (No. 1 – 2:02.37), 400 individual medley (No. 1 – 4:20.06), 200 freestyle relay (No. 1 with Paige Treff, Kelly Hartman, Stephanie Bayless – 1:35.35), 400 freestyle relay (No. 4 with Stephanie Bayless, Sidney Pinger, Paige Treff – 3:30.38), 800 freestyle relay (No. 2 with Madi Lydig, Sidney Pinger, Emily Gough – 7:32.15), 200 medley relay (No. 10 with Katie Rottman, Jane Liggett, Paige Treff – 1:48.43), and 400 medley relay (No. 1 with Katie Rottman, Jane Liggett, Paige Treff – 3:48.12; No. 9 with Kaitlyn Overstreet, Annika Perry, Jane Liggett – 3:56.86).
And that’s just this season alone. Her name appears 12 more times on the All-Time Top 10 list.
But, as much as swimming is an individual sport, the team atmosphere the SU swimming program embraces under Nisgor’s leadership gave Wittenauer-Lee the extra support she needed.
“I can’t tell you the number of text messages and calls and posts on social media from the staff at Seattle University, my family, and my family at Seattle University,” Wittenauer-Lee said. “It was interesting experiencing the love and support [of teammates] from afar…They were there for me as usual.”
And even though she said she missed her team, she tried to carry their spirit with her.
“It was really weird because our team at meets is so loud and so proud to be a Redhawk, and I really tried to carry that to this amazing meet where I was the only one there,” Wittenauer-Lee said. “I tried to represent the team and the happiness there even if I was the only one.”
Only a junior, Wittenauer-Lee will return to the Redhawks next season for her senior year.
“I just want to thank the entire Seattle University program, and athletic program, and the people who have been so loving and caring to me through this journey,” Wittenauer-Lee said. “I’m very grateful for that, and thankful for my coaches and my team who have stood by me and pushed me to this point.”