Rylee Wenzel is one of the most accomplished sprinting swimmers in Bloomsburg History. Holding two individual school records, and being an integral part of the 4×100 freestyle relay team that also holds the school record. Though, she believes that her titles are not solely her own, but are instead shared by the many people that have supported her to this position. From her friends growing up, whom she swam with growing up, to the coaches that have kept her on the straight and narrow, to her teammates who continue to push her each and every day.
Rylee’s love for swimming began at an early age. When she was five, her family began to go to a community pool, this is where she was first exposed to competitive swimming. She pleaded with her mom to let her join the swim team, and after going to a meet and feeling the energy, her mother agreed to sign Rylee up for the team. In highschool she found major success, some of her most memorable times include her journey to a state championship. Wenzel spoke about how she and her team were able to break their own record on each stage of the state playoffs, to win the District 3 AAA Championship. She remarked on how fitting it was to finish her highschool career winning gold with the girls she grew up with. She then took her talents to Bloomsburg, where she said that the Huskies did the most to make the team feel more like a family. She credits that as one of the factors that drove her to Bloomsburg.
Wenzel hopes that her school records are used as a boost to her teammates, instead of just propelling herself. When asked how she views her previous successes, Rylee hopes that the records are a shining light on the potential of her teammates, who she claimed have given her a run for her money multiple times in practice. She is optimistic that her records will allow her teammates to build the inspiration to make their own campaigns to take the record.
Wenzel is hopeful about the ability of once again breaking the 400 Free Relay record. She is hoping that the team is able to stay healthy throughout the season. She believes that with another year of training, that last season’s broken record will slingshot their abilities as they are more familiar with each other. They expect that the improved synergy between the team will allow them to place even higher, and hopefully shatter their already impressive times.
Rylee wishes to also inspire the next generation of swimmers. She enjoys going back home and working as an assistant coach for her highschool. She aims to help those coming up by giving them someone who lets them know that there is always someone who understands what they are going through, and how to come out better on the other side.
