Washington State University sophomore swimmer Lauren Burckel keeps her studies on track as a biochemistry major, but makes sure she has time with her friends, thanks to her organized, color-coded planner. She is close with her teammates and counts on them as study companions as well as competitors to push her in the pool. Her system seems to work. In summer 2019 Burckel qualified for the 200 breaststroke U.S. Olympic trials.
"That was probably the best moment I have had as an athlete," Burckel said.
Burckel said that while she loves WSU, her family is really important to her and when she moved from New Mexico to Pullman, it was difficult for all of them.
"When I had to leave, that was hard," she said.
Not only was it hard to leave her family in New Mexico, but also the food, which she described as "delicious."
To make up for the loss of access to New Mexican cuisine, Burckel bakes. She said she loves to make croissants and cinnamon rolls. Whether it's to celebrate a teammate, or to cheer the team up, she can be counted on to supply baked goods.
That commitment to celebrating and supporting one another is one of the reasons Burckel came to WSU.
"The Cougar family is great to be a part of," she said.
With a pool full of opportunity and her winning mindset, Lauren Burckel is someone to watch in the coming years.
"That was probably the best moment I have had as an athlete," Burckel said.
Burckel said that while she loves WSU, her family is really important to her and when she moved from New Mexico to Pullman, it was difficult for all of them.
"When I had to leave, that was hard," she said.
Not only was it hard to leave her family in New Mexico, but also the food, which she described as "delicious."
To make up for the loss of access to New Mexican cuisine, Burckel bakes. She said she loves to make croissants and cinnamon rolls. Whether it's to celebrate a teammate, or to cheer the team up, she can be counted on to supply baked goods.
That commitment to celebrating and supporting one another is one of the reasons Burckel came to WSU.
"The Cougar family is great to be a part of," she said.
With a pool full of opportunity and her winning mindset, Lauren Burckel is someone to watch in the coming years.