Nov. 17, 2009
Previous Meet the Billikens Q&A's
Lindsey Tamkun
Brian Brasser
Ariel Hyams
What is your favorite childhood memory? Growing up with my family back in Mexico
At what point, before coming to SLU, did you start to believe that you could compete athletically at the collegiate level, and why? A couple months before I graduated when I swam really fast at a meet
What do you consider to be the best thing you've done to help another person? I donated and volunteered
What does it mean to you to be a Billiken? Being well-rounded
What person outside the sports world do you admire most, and why? My parents, for all the sacrifices they made to give my siblings and I the best opportunities in the world.
What is the most significant way you have changed since coming to SLU? I think I have gotten smarter?
Do you think you could ever be a coach, and why or why not? Maybe, since I've been competing in the sport for a while and I am familiar with the physical and mental aspects of swimming.
What is your most cherished material possession, and why? A teddy bear that I have had since I was born
What is one thing about you that people would be surprised to discover? I like to build model airplanes and ships.
What is your favorite motivational saying or expression? "He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man."
What is your best talent other than your sport? I'm pretty good at math.
What has been your most memorable vacation? Madrid, Spain
When someone is visiting your hometown, what is something everyone should see? You will see el Cerro de la Silla.
Best practical joke you have pulled (or had pulled on you)? Pulling the chair out from someone will always be a classic.
Who is the most famous person you have ever met? Gene Kranz, NASA Mission Director
What sporting event do you most want to see in person? The Stanley Cup or World Cup finals
If you could go back in time, what sporting event would you like to see happen again? The 1980 Olympic hockey game between the United States and the USSR
What famous person are you tired of hearing and reading about? Michael Jackson
What is your all-time favorite YouTube video? Any mentioned in episodes of South Park
What skill do you wish you possessed? I wish I was good at hockey
What is your favorite thing your coach always says? "Your cheeks are cold," or "that was really slow".
What has been your favorite road trip so far? Chicago
What was your summer job in high school? I was a lifeguard and swim instructor.
What is the toughest thing about being a college student-athlete? College is not hard if you just manage your time.
What is something you have to do before every meet? Put on a speedo
What is your greatest achievement that has nothing to do with your sport? Getting good grades in engineering
What is the most interesting thing you did over the summer? Does celebrating my 21st birthday count?
What is something you've always wanted to be able to do? Play hockey, be a UFC fighter, be an astronaut and go to the moon.
Who is your closest friend on another SLU team? Paul Eckerle from the men's basketball team, he is a cool guy.
Who is the teammate that is most like your coach and why? No one is that fast.
What do you want to do after you graduate? Go to grad school to get a master's degree and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, and become an astronaut along the way.
Where do you hope to be and what do you hope to be doing in 10 years? I hope to be on my way to space, teaching, researching, having a family and being happy.
What is something you just can't get enough of? Xbox and Left for Dead
If you could swim with or against with anyone (living or dead), who would it be? I'd like to swim with Jim Halliburton.
What is playing on your iPod right now? Muse, Bring Me the Horizon, Senses Fail, Lady Gaga, Hollywood Undead
