Swimming is a sport of personal challenges, and, this weekend, sophomore Kevin Howard proved to be the master of those challenges.
The sophomore swam with class and perseverance this weekend in two tough matchups against University Athletic Association rivals New York University and Case Western Reserve University.
A biomedical engineering major from South Hamilton, Mass., Howard won both the 100 and 200 backstroke and also placed high in three team medleys and one individual medley.
What has swimming taught or shown you about life in general?
Focusing on little things can go a long way. You’ll do a lot of things for your teammates that you wouldn’t normally do [for other people].
How is training for swimming different than training for another sport?
Well, I used to run cross country, and swimming takes a lot more time management than running. You have so little time to get so much done [in swimming]. We have double sessions from September to February, so it’s a lot of swimming and more about technique. I didn’t have an off-season until I got to college, where I got the last month of school and summer off.
Is there anything you wish you could change about swimming?
Early morning practices we have them on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
How do you handle the fact that the result of a team medley can be determined by your individual performance in the race?
I get really excited for medley relays. I’m always leading off and, as the backstroke leg, I try to make it a goal to never be losing at that point in the race. I just don’t want to be that guy.
Are you involved in any other clubs on campus?
Ballroom dancing I’ve never been worse at something in my life.
What’s your favorite quote?
‘As it happened or as it was supposed to happen.” Kurt Vonnegut
Kravitz is a member of the class of 2012.
