Eagle Extra: Erika Fimple, Women’s Swimming

By: Dana Relation
Sports Information Assistant
relatdm10@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College swimmer Erika Fimple is gearing up for the last meet of the season and the Landmark Conference Championships. The freshman is in the Juniata record books in three events, and she hasn't even finished her first collegiate season as an Eagle.

In her first season with the Juniata College women's swimming team, Fimple earned Landmark Women's Player of the Week on Nov. 4. She has broken school records in the 100 and 200 fly, and also holds three of the top 10 times in the 200 IM. In addition, she has posted times in the top five of the conference in five different events.

Fimple has been very humble about the whole experience. She wasn't even aware that she broke the 200 fly record until she went to talk to Coach Smith and look at her splits.

"This was not anything that I expected," stated Fimple. "I've gained a lot of muscle. I was so tiny. Just through lifting, I've gotten a lot stronger and that really helps me in the water."

Fimple, from Drexel Hill, Pa., in the suburbs of Philadelphia, experimented with a few different sports when she was younger.

"I went through a phase where I loved swimming and I loved it so much that I hated it, so I quit for two years," said Fimple. "I got on the high school cheerleading team for two years. Then I hated it, so I went back to swimming junior and senior year."

Fimple also competed in lacrosse throughout high school. She stated that she knew she wanted to compete collegiately and it came down to either lacrosse or swimming. "It was either lacrosse or swimming, and I don't really like running," joked Fimple.

When looking at colleges, it came down to Juniata and Cabrini College. Although Fimple wanted to swim, academics were definitely her top priority when deciding on a college.

"I was doing my last visit here and I did an overnight with the swim team," Fimple said. "Everybody was really nice and welcoming. I really just liked the whole atmosphere, and I decided that this is where I want to be. I came, I looked, and I loved it."

Being on the swim team has been a great experience for Fimple, while also allowing her to integrate into campus.

"Through them I've made friends. At swim meets they're always so positive. We're just like family."

Currently studying biology, Fimple wants to be an occupational therapist.

Fun Facts on Erika Fimple

Favorite band/artist?

I don't really have a favorite artist. I like everything, really.

Favorite shoes?

I like Uggs and sneakers, Nikes.

Favorite item in your dorm room?

Definitely my memory foam mattress pad.

One thing you couldn't go a day without?

Up here, I feel like my winter jacket because it's always so cold.

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Michael Phelps, because he's amazing and he has so many gold medals.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Ireland. I have family there and I've never met them. I feel like it's really pretty there and I want to travel.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

I've always loved ducks, so I'd say a duck.

If you could be an Olympic athlete (in anything other than your sport) what would it be?

I like watching gymnastics, so if I could be a gymnast that'd be really cool.

Favorite class at JC?

So far, CWS.

Favorite place in Huntingdon?

Standing Stone.

Favorite Juniata Tradition?

Madrigal.

Favorite athletic experience at JC?

Definitely the swim meets. When we have tri-meets, I've never swam with two other teams, so that's a new experience. They're fun.

If you could trade places with one JC athlete, who would it be and why?

Any of the women's volleyball players, maybe Rachelle Wiegand.

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