2013-14 Women's Swimming Roster
Biography
2013-14 ... Saw significant freestyle action and a pair of backstroke races during her lone season as a Panther as a freshman... set season-best times in the 50, 100 and 200-Free events at the end-of-season Summit League meet... also swam the first leg of the 1000-Free Relay at the IUPUI Relay meet.
HIGH SCHOOL ... Four-year varsity swimmer for coach Mary Ruffin at Harry D. Jacobs HS... four-time conference medalist in 200 and 500-Free events... earned sectional honors in the 200-Free Relay as she also nabbed regional and senior state qualifier kudos... earned Most Improved Gator award as a freshman, best attendance as a sophomore and moved improved as a junior... ultimately earned the award for most dedicated swimmer as she was voted team captain during her junior year... member of her HS squad that earned conference championship trophy for the first time in 12 years... also a member of the Honor Roll and regional qualifier.
PERSONAL ... Plans to major in special education... daughter of David & Susan Podczerwinski... born on January 11... No. 1 sports highlight was "breaking the 1:00 mark in the 100-Free for the first time"... credits her big sister, Amanda, who also was a collegiate athlete, for having the biggest influence on her sports career, "because I started swimming due to her.. and ever since she has been there for me, no matter what."
OUT OF THE WATER WITH COURTNEY ... 'Podz' chose EIU "because I fell in love with the campus and the academic programs that Eastern has to offer... and I get to pursue my dreams of swimming as a Division I student-athlete"... in her free time she enjoys biking, running, taking long walks, and playing volleyball... drives a 2009 Honda Civic... her favorite dish is Portillo's chopped salad... but doesn't care for seafood... would love to meet Ryan Lotche some day... fav tv show is The Bachelor... family owns a puppy named Angel and a kitty called Mia... can't go anywhere without her cellphone... her advice to a young athlete is "never give up... even when times get rough, keep going... things will get better."
