Heidi Andre Senior / Freestyle Fairbanks, AK	Coming to Saint Mary’s University from Alaska, I knew that I was going to be asked many inquiring questions. The questions ranged from the comical, “Do you live in an igloo?” To the more serious ones about why I chose to come to Saint Mary’s University. I could always answer the less serious ones (or at least I hope the people were not serious when they asked me if I lived in an igloo), but I could not tell people the reasons why I chose to come to SMU (having only been to Minnesota once, and not even visiting the school) — because I did not know for myself what they even were. I promised myself that I would be able to answer that question by the time I graduate, and I think I have finally found my answer. I came to Saint Mary’s University to have the most incredible college experience I could have ever imagined. The relationships I have made while attending this school are ones that are going to last a lifetime, the education I received will have definitely prepared me for my after graduation plans, and I have been able to continue the sport that I love, and the sport that has helped shape me into the person that I am today. It’s hard to believe that something I have known for so long will be coming to an end. Sixteen years of swimming and the relationships I have made through the sport have definitely helped shape me into the person I am today. I can vividly remember my first swim practice when I was six years old; I was so nervous and scared. Who would have known what a big part of my life swimming would become? Mom and Dad — thank you for everything. I feel very honored and privileged to be your daughter. Dad, I would like to say thank you for helping to provide me with such a great education and for always stressing how important academics are in light of swimming. Mom, I wanted to say thank you for always being my number one fan. Even though I know that at times you probably would have rather been sitting in a cold rink watching Mike play hockey, you were always at my swim meets, sitting at the hot and humid pool, cheering me on for the short amount of time I would actually swim, and waiting in between. Thank you for getting the swim team started at Monroe so I did not have to attend a public school, and so I could have the experience of swimming in high school. I want to say thank you for always being there for me, especially in dealing with me after I had a bad race. It has been great to know that when I am unhappy with the way I swim, you are still proud of me. I am so grateful that you have been able to come to Conference each year that I have been here at Saint Mary’s, it really means a lot to me. Thank you for everything. Mom and Dad, I love you both so much. Heather — ever since we were six, you have been the one I have looked up to in the sport of swimming. I remember always hoping that I could be as fast as you one day. Even though that never happened, I have learned so much from you. I learned from you the dedication and competitive attitude that is necessary to succeed in swimming. We always had the best time swimming and traveling together. Thank you for letting me tag-a-long to Junior Nationals with you, and for helping me to sneak into the warm-up pool. I know that is a trip we will never forget (remember the water park?). I cannot believe, still, that my college sports career has turned out the way it has. I have had the opportunity to be coached by the best swim coach and volleyball coach I have ever been coached by. I am so thankful for the opportunity this year to be coached by two of the smartest and caring coaches I have ever known. Eric: when I first came here you told me that you were going to come to Alaska before I graduate, well your time is almost up. (You better hurry and recruit a swimmer from Alaska so you can make it up there someday, and because there has to be at least one polar bear on the team). I want to thank you for being so understanding freshmen year for the month that the volleyball season and swimming season overlapped. Also, thank you for always having your office door open whenever I needed to come talk to you, and also for the times when I was going to go workout and then got “sucked into” the workout trap that is your office. I feel so honored to have been coached by you. You are so understanding and care to a great extent about each one of your swimmers. You are more than just a coach, you are a friend, and that is something that I found so much comfort in as being one of your swimmers. I have learned so much from you about the sport of swimming, and about life in general. Thank you for being there to help me both through the good times and bad. I do not know what I would have done if it were not for your coaching and guidance. Coach Lester: I wanted to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to play volleyball for you, and the opportunity to play volleyball as a Cardinal. (I am probably the shortest middle hitter you have ever had). I could never have imagined freshmen year that you would be my assistant swimming coach this season. You are such a great coach, and I feel so privileged to have been coached by you. Oh, and I can not forget Brian, the best and only water polo coach I have been coached by. I will never forget the experience of playing water polo, and the incredible road trips to New York and Connecticut; those memories are some of the best I have from attending Saint Mary’s. Luke, Brian, and Sean: thank you guys for teaching me how to play water polo, and for giving me the confidence I needed during games. I would most especially like to thank you for believing in my abilities to play water polo. The fact that all of you believed in me really means a lot, and I will never forget what all of you have taught me. To all of my teammates, both past and present, thank you for helping to provide to me the best four years of swimming I have had throughout my swimming career. All of you have impacted my life in some way, and I will never forget you. We all have at least one, if not many things in common; we love the sport of swimming, and we are all Cardinals, and forever will be connected. Dream Big and Swim Fast. My D-team: Abby, Brian, Tony, and Logan: Thank you for always pushing me to work so hard during our distance workouts. Brian and Logan, it has been such an amazing experience training with you two this year. I do not think I would have gotten through most of the distance workouts without you. Logan, thanks for trying to help me with my flip turns, we both know they need some work. Brian, thanks for being my “lane buddy”, you are the best. One thing that I have learned from swimming distance is how important the “team” is. Always remember, “Ducks fly together.” Lauren, Molly, Stacy (and Jake): Thanks for always being there for me. We definitely had some fun and crazy times in Old Village #124 last year. Thank you for being so understanding, and making fun of me at the same time about how early I went to sleep during the season last year. I am sure Lauren does not miss the alarm clock going off at 5:30a.m. Thank you girls for being so supportive. Jen: You have been such a great friend. My family and I really appreciate everything you have done for me. Thank you for letting me stay over at your house, and especially for driving me to and from the airport. At least now you know where it is. (That is a big change from freshmen year when we got pulled over, right?) Thank you for everything. Sean: You have taught me so much, about swimming, water polo, and about the type of person that I am. You are not only my team mate, you are my best friend. We have been through so much together, and I know that I am a better person because of it. You always push me to be better in everything that I do, especially in the water. You have taught me how to “treat”, and “be treated” (especially by you), and that is something I will never forget. I really admire your competitive attitude and work ethic. I know that whatever you set your mind to you will accomplish, and your goals will be reached. I believe in you Dork(z). When I was an Age Group swimmer in Alaska, I had the opportunity to pick a cap out of a grab bag as a reward for doing well on a set. I today still have that cap hanging in my room. That cap, I came to find out once I came to Saint Mary’s, was a cap from one of the very first seasons Saint Mary’s had a swim team. I could not believe my eyes when I first stepped into Coach Eric’s office when I was a freshman, and saw the same cap that I have hanging in my room, hanging up in the office. It was from that point on that I knew I belonged here, and that I was destined to be a Cardinal. It is unfortunate that all things must come to an end someday, but the memories last a lifetime. To my family, coaches, and all of my friends- I would not be who I am today without you, and there is a special place in my heart for all of you. My swimming career will soon be coming to an end, but the memories are what I will cherish forever.