Erikka Voelz Sr. • Free, Fly Pulaski, Wis. Unsure if I wanted to swim in college, I didn’t start looking for schools with swimming until January of my senior year in high school. Now, here I am four years later as a senior in college, one month away from completing my collegiate swimming career. All I can say is I am glad I became a Cardinal! The past four years were filled with so many memories and definitely some ups and downs. Freshman year brought my first taste of the 200 Fly. (How scary … but thanks for making me do it, coach!) Sophomore year brought lots of tears, since I was unable to swim because of shoulder surgery. (Thanks for letting me be the “unofficial” team manager!) Junior year, I was back in the water and was rewarded with one of the best seasons of my life. (Who would have thought I’d be better than in high school?!) And this, my senior year, started slowly in swimming, but quickly in the working-world as a student-teacher. (Wow, am I happy to be back at it!) As my four years have proven — anything can happen, and I have so much to be thankful for! To my teammates, both past and present – Thank You! You are all excellent people both in and out of the pool, and I’ve learned something from each and every one of you. You definitely were a second family and I wish you the best in years to come! To Eric, thank you! You are an awesome coach and each and every swimmer you work with is truly blessed. You are more than a coach; you’re a great friend. The door has always been open and you’ve helped shape me into the person I am today! Good luck with all your teams to come! To my parents and family, thank you! Your love and support means the world to me. You’ve gone over and above anything I’ve ever expected and it means everything to see you travel over five hours one way to watch me swim every time I’m in the water! I don’t think I’d be where I am today if it weren’t for you! Thanks, Saint Mary’s, and everyone who’s touched my life, I’ll never forget you or my time here as a Cardinal student-athlete!