Boston College Athletics
Q & A with Swimming's Kendra Johnson
June 21, 1999 | Swimming
October 28, 1998
Kendra Johnson, A&S 00, is a member of the Boston College Womens Varsity Swimming Team. She is a psychology major, with a concentration in business/management (psychomanagement). She was recently honored as the 1998 Most Valuable Player at the annual swim meet banquet. She was also recently invited to join the Golden Key Honor Society Awards Banquet, where she was recognized for eligibility for the award, something that is only given to the Top 10 percent in the sophomore class. I had the chance to aks her a few questions about herself, her time here at BC -- focusing on both athletics and academics -- and her thoughts on the future.
Why did you come to Boston College? I came to BC because the swim program would also allow me to excel academically. I had a good time [on my recruit trip], the people were friendly, and I got a sense of real college life.
What accomplishments are you most proud of here at BC (athletically)? I'm proud of being voted MVP, and of my fastest dual meet performance in the 200 IM (at BU).
What academic accomplishments are you most proud of here at BC? Being recognized for eligibility to the Golden Key Honor Society (top 10% of the sophomore class)
What kind of student would you hope your professors would say you are? I would hope they would say I am focused, diligent, responsible, intelligent, friendly, articulate.
What do you hope others would say you contribute to the swim team? That I am a hard worker, friendly, easily, approachable, dependable, competitive.
What are your goals for the rest of your time at BC - academically and athletically? Academically, I would like to graduate with honors, [remain in the] top ten percent, have a more clear-cut career path or idea for my future. Athletically, I'd really like to get the school record in the 50-m and the 100-m backstroke, and maintain my position on the Big East team, in the relays and on the travel team. Overall, I want to put forth my hardest effort and achieve success. I'd also like to get more involved, beyond the realm of athletlics and academics, and help the community in some way and continue to do other things. I want to become more confident and learn to use self-motivating pressure in a way that will not impede my sucess -- rather, nurture it.
What goals have you set that you have already accomplished while here? To be on the travel team and go to the BIG EAST both years. A goal has always been to come to BC and create a second home with a strong group of friends I can count on. Another goal has been to challenge myself, both as an athlete and a student - I want to continue to do this.
Looking back on your freshman year, what were some of the most difficult things about it - athletically and academically? Just adjusting to an environement where you are not really known. Adjusting to the cafeteria food. Freshman year was an adjustment period but there wasn't one real obstacle I had to overcome other than finding a niche.
What would you like to change about your time here at BC so far? (If you could have done things differently, what would you have done?) I would have gotten more involved in other activities; been more outgoing.
When you have had a rough time here at school, what have you done to get yourself through it? I went to my friends or my mom. I spent time alone.
What has been your most memorable moment at BC? Realizing what good friends you have but not really remembering when you made them. There are lots of things.
