Emma Schaefer Grateful for Opportunity to Swim at NCAA Championships Again

Hope College's Emma Schaefer is set to jump into the pool with the best swimmers in NCAA Division III after a two-year wait.

The fifth-year senior is even happier she has a number of teammates joining her this week for the NCAA Division III Championships in Indianapolis.

Emma Schaefer poses for a portrait. Hope is sending a group of 11 to the four-day meet that begins on Wednesday, March 16, at 10 a.m. at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis IU Natatorium.

Schaefer returns to nationals being the lone qualifier two years ago when the meet was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCAA also canceled the 2021 Division III Championships.

"I'm excited to be here with my team. Just to be swimming is super special," Schaefer said. "This is the biggest group we've had at nationals in a really long time. It's definitely more exciting to do it with them than to do it alone."

Photo by Lynne Powe

Schaefer (DeWitt, Michigan / St. Johns HS) is joined by diver Abby Koops, women's swimmers Sara Kraus, Alyssa Kerkman, Madeline Tessin, Katie Weedon, and Delaney Wesolek, and men's swimmers Ben Catton, Conner Halberg, Colin Kalkman, and Jack Muller.

Head coach Jake Taber couldn't be happier to see Schaefer quality for the NCAA Championships again.

"She was the first conversation I had a couple of years ago when the meet got canceled; it was really hard," Taber said. "She's the person who does things the right way. She works her tail off. I'm proud of everything about her. I'm proud of the leader she is. I'm excited she gets this week to experience and gets to lead this group. I look forward to things coming together for her."

Schaefer qualified for nationals in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 breaststroke.

Hope — the MIAA champion for the second consecutive season and for the third time in four years — also qualified for nationals in the 200 and 400 medley relays and the 800 freestyle relay.

"Making it to nationals is always special; the country gets faster and faster every year," Schaefer said. "As a fifth-year senior, it's really exciting to see the hard work pay off. Knowing this is my final opportunity, I'm excited."

The opportunity is particularly satisfying after a challenging two-year stretch during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schaefer will take valuable lessons from the past two years moving forward. After graduation, Schaefer will begin medical school at Michigan State University this summer.

"One big thing I learned is being OK with not being in control, not knowing what's next, doing my best in the moment," Schaefer said. "I remember during quarantine working and lifting by myself. I was looking forward to an opportunity to swim not knowing when it would be. I learned about being able to adapt to circumstances in the moment and make sure I was prepared for whatever is next."

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