Indiana University Athletics
Meet Senior Jenny Bechem
1/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
January 15, 2003
A Conversation with IU Senior Jenny Bechem
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An academic All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore and again as a junior, Naperville, Ill., product Jenny Bechem has recorded a provisional NCAA qualifying time in the 200-yard butterfly, the 500-yard freestyle, and the 1,650 free during this her senior season. An English major, Jenny intends to pursue a career in acting following graduation this year.
How did you end up at Indiana? What other schools did you consider and why did you ultimately select IU?
I chose IU over Missouri and Columbia. Other than the swim teams, I also wanted to come here because I love the beautiful rolling hills (I get to see them every day on my one-speed bike), enjoy the proximity to Mr. Gatti's in Bedford, and of course, I also enjoyed the Tudor Room on my recruiting visit here. I mean, I'm an athlete...I think with my stomach.
Do you have any brothers and sisters? If so, what are their ages and what do they do?
I have one sister, Candice, who is 28. She and her husband, Jon, are expecting their first child, a boy, in early May. I'm hopeful it will be after graduation. They both build microchips for Intel. Yes, they are very smart.
What are your plans after graduation and how does your English major play into those plans?
In the spring, I plan to audition for an acting school in NYC and then move to the great city. Once there, I will continue auditioning for many roles and hopefully land a flexible part-time job. Basically, I came to college to swim and will not be using my degree on any substantial level. My first life dream was to swim in college. Once I've finished and accomplished everything with that dream, I will devote as much time and energy to my second dream, acting, as I did to the first.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment in the swimming pool?
When it comes right down to it, I really lump everything together into one great mess of best times, making cuts, and such. However, one of my fondest memories in the pool was when I was eight-years-old. At the Pepsi Games of Texas (the state meet for summer league), I won the 25 fly. This race was way my first taste of winning a big event. Consequently, it's what has kept me swimming all of these years. Whenever I wonder why I swim, when I could have picked another sport that takes less time, I remind myself of this race and the feeling I enjoyed on that day.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Most of the time, I try to catch up on sleep or see a movie. Something low-key. But, my roommates have reminded me that I also enjoy going on-line and ordering candy from obscure websites while wearing tacky clothing. Some of my favorite things to wear are my yellow jeans and a multicolored crush velvet shirt that I got in eighth grade.
Do you have any unique pre-race or pre-meet rituals?
I really don't do anything special before my races. I just warm up a ton (the distance swimmer in me) and pray to God to be with my teammates and me.
What is your favorite movie and why?
Superstar. It cracks me up. I go around quoting it all the time. "Mary, do you have a best friend? You wanna be my best friend?" It's a little funnier in the movie. I mean the film has it all--singing, dancing, and of course humor!!!
What is your favorite television show and why? What is your favorite book?
I really like all TV shows, but I do watch one consistently. Every day, when I get home from practice, I turn on the TV to the Simpsons and relax a short time while I am eating dinner. As far as books, none come to mind. I'm pretty easily entertained. However, last semester, in one of my English classes, I did read Paradise Lost. Although it is not a book, the poem is certainly long enough to fill one. The epic has some great things...drama, internal conflict, and a great struggle for power. It challenges me to think about my religion.
How do you deal with the monotony of early morning practices?
I make sure to be in bed at 9:00 p.m. every night but, more importantly, I try not to think about it (thanks for reminding me).
What are your primary goals for the remainder of the season?
Realistically, I want to get three lifetime bests at Big Tens. Ideally, I want to go to NCAAs.
Describe Coach Tierney in three words?
Demanding, Determined, and Relentless
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Because of the wonderful sport of swimming, I've never really had time to vacation. However, last year my family was living in Toronto and the city seemed to be a very fun place for everyone. So, after I retire from swimming, I think it would be nice to go back there and see the city.
Do you have any musical talents?
Although I don't currently play much, at one point I was pretty good with the alto sax, flute, and piano. And although I wouldn't consider it a talent as of yet, last year I did take some voice lessens and now I can sing along with the radio without the windows cracking.
What are your favorite foods?
Ice cream, hands down. Anytime, anywhere, and any flavor except coffee.
What is your favorite event and why?
My favorite event is definitely the 50 free, but I was not blessed with the muscles that allow people to sprint. Therefore, I settle with the 200 fly and the mile because I like the feeling of getting out of the pool exhausted and knowing that the pain I just put myself through is second to none. However, I also like these events because not everyone has the endurance to do them, especially when I do them on the same day. The pain reminds me that I'm tough.
Have you participated in any other sports?
In grade school, I did softball, running, gymnastics, diving, and swimming. But by sixth grade, it was full-time swimming. Although there was a breather during my junior year of high school when I played water polo, I've never really had ambition, guts, time, or whatever it takes to do more than one sport at a time. So, swimming it was, and is.
How would you describe your personality?
At risk of sounding conceited, I am going to say that I am optimistic, fun, funny, compassionate, and sincere.
Friday, August 21
Friday, August 21
Friday, August 21
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