If I had a super power, I would like to fly. I am afraid of birds, and maybe being able to fly would
Meet the Bishops: Get to know a little about Maddie Penn of the Ohio Wesleyan women's swimming & diving team
Class Year: 2020
Major: Early Childhood Education
How/Why did you choose Ohio Wesleyan?
I chose Ohio Wesleyan because I wanted a school where I could pursue the multiple interests I already had, and then expand that by finding new things that interested me. My grandmother, Carolyn Smith '56, was also a student at Ohio Wesleyan University, and I believe that the tradition of this school speaks for itself. Seeing her love for this university and the way that it allowed her to grow into the leader that I admire today really pushed me to look more into Ohio Wesleyan.
How/Why did you choose your major?
I have always wanted to be a teacher. It has been one thing that I can always remember knowing about myself. I find it so moving that I will one day have the opportunity to shape so many lives, both academically, and as future leaders and humans of tomorrow.
Why did you choose to compete in sports at Ohio Wesleyan?
I chose to compete in sports at OWU to have a strong group of people to immediately surround myself with. Before coming to OWU, I was pretty set against continuing my sport in college. It was something I had spent 14 years of my life doing, and I thought I was ready to give that up. That all changed when I came on a visit and met the swim team. They reminded me of the community of support I knew I would always have, and a shared love of the smell of chlorine.
What are your strengths as an athlete?
I think that I have a very encouraging mentality. Though I may be the first person to roll my eyes at hard set, I know that as soon as things get going, and naturally get tough, I will be someone to push my teammates. If I’m not positive myself, I can’t expect those around me to do the same. Having a community of support and encouragement is really remarkable when we are swimming for miles on end.
What is your favorite memory on the Ohio Wesleyan swim team?
My favorite memory on the swim team is the moment immediately after my 200 backstroke at my freshman year conference meet. I was exhausted, and so was everyone else. Despite exhaustion, I had just swam a best time and was thrilled. Even though everyone else had events and other things to do, I was immediately surrounded by members of my team there to congratulate me and tell me how wonderful I had done. I had not set a record, nor was I going to make it to Nationals, but I had done something that made me and my team proud. That was really cool.
If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?
If I had a super power, I would like to fly. I am afraid of birds, and maybe being able to fly would make me less scared of them.
What event/sport other than your own would you like to try and why?
Since I was about 12, I have had a strange obsession with curling. It is such an interesting sport to me, and I think it would be fun to be able to slide around on ice, and hopefully not fall down.
What movie or TV show would you like to star on and why?
I would like to star on New Girl. It is funny, unique, and who doesn't want to be Jessica Day?
by Erin Ross '20
