University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vol Diary - Michele King
February 07, 2008 | Women's Swimming & Diving
As this year's swimming season nears its end, with our last dual meet just behind us, I've come to realize how much this year's seniors will be missed.
Laura Ferhman- a very upbeat, lovable person. I have grown close with Laura within the two years that we have spent together on this team. She is the type of person you could turn to for motivation and some tough love in and out of practice. She's the one who would let you know when you were out of line, but she was and still is, the hand that is always there to help pull you back up to your best. Everyday, Laura would put the effort into practice to make herself better. As frustrating as it would get sometimes, she would always work hard.
Then there is Brooke Boncher. Bless her heart. I have never met anyone as determined and as hard-working as Brooke. To have her competing again after a redshirt season is great. To have someone like Brooke walking around on deck and racing is very motivating. To see a person so strong walking about and being so determined at everything is very uplifting.
Danyelle Vincent- someone I have never known to have a voice until this year, when she broke out of her shell. And man does she have insight on the way to compete and to live your life to its fullest! She is one who knows when to put everything on the line and just full out race. She races for her team, herself and for everyone who knows her. When it is time to rock out, you can always depend on Dany to hold up her end.
Lauren Leroy- a diver who shows strong courage bouncing back from an injury, facing her fears of new dives and taking the chances to master them. Lauren is someone that everyone can go to for a motherly hug or sisterly advice anytime you need it. She is always there to give you wisdom or support. She always smoothed out the bumps on my road in life.
Vicky Linnell is another diver on the team who I consider to be an extremely strong person. To overcome many obstacles in life and still be the amazing person and athlete she is, is incredible. Vicky is proof of a walking unstoppable force. Whatever she is faced with in life, she pushes through it like a bulldozer destroying a house. She has the mind and heart of a hero.
Christine Magnuson is my biggest and most intimidating opponent and teammate. Christine is what I would call a role model. She has worked unbelievably hard to get where she is in her life today. Every opportunity Christine was given in practice or meets to go fast, she took full advantage of it. Not once did I ever see her not give her best effort. Christine definitely kept me in check with my attitude whether it was good or bad. She is my tough love. Everyone needs to have someone to keep them in line and to help see what really matters and what doesn't. With her teachings, I know how to lead a team of extraordinary female swimmers to achieve the best they can.
All of these women will definitely be missed in ways that are obvious and ways that only few know. They will be known as Lady Volunteers for the rest of their lives, and you can bet they will walk with their heads held high and proud with the respect that comes with being a Lady Vol athlete. We love you and we will never forget what each of you brought to this team and to each of us.
