TicketsSenior swimmer Blake Hanna's path to competing in the NCAA Championships and Olympic trials was unique, to say the least.
Hanna was not recruited after graduating from Covington Catholic high school and swimming locally for the Northern Kentucky Clippers club team. He decided to keep honing his skills on the club team here on campus.
"I spent the first years on the club team relaxed and having a little bit fun," said Hanna. "The second year, I set some goals that I wanted to win because I am a very competitive person and I wanted to win at the club level, but knew I had to put in a NCAA-level performance to do that. I had to train like a NCAA athlete during that time."
The work that Hanna put in during his club seasons paid off. Hanna competed at the Olympic trials last year and holds two UC school records.
"I wasn't offered a spot on the team," said Hanna. "I was told I wasn't big enough, and I was told I wasn't cut out to be a NCAA swimmer at the Division-I level. I never had my sights set on that, never had my sights set on Olympic trials. So, I guess qualifying would be a dream come true as well."
Hanna is proud of his records in the 100 and 200-yard backstroke, but he knows that records are meant to be broken.
"I hope that one day somebody is able to beat those times because, the mark is for me, but also what I was able to do to elevate the program," said Hanna.
Hanna's had some competition on the team in the form his younger brother, Ethan Hanna, who attended the same high school as Blake and is now a Bearcat, just like his older brother.
"There is a rivalry in the house, and he still goes back to the one meet at the end of that summer saying, 'Hey – remember when I beat you in your best event? The one you qualified for NCAAs and Olympic trials in?'," joked Hanna.
The brotherly competition, coupled with the coaching staff, have been the keys to success in Hanna's rise.
"Coaches have helped me build my confidence and, more than anything, have given me the tools I need to succeed and worked with me every step of the way," said Hanna.
Even after an unconventional four years in Clifton, Hanna wouldn't have had it any other way.
"It has been a great four years that I have been able to swim on the NCAA team here and if I had to do it all over again, I would, because I loved the people I did this with," said Hanna.
A personal goal for Hanna this season is to make it back to the NCAA championships. One of his final opportunities to qualify is next week at the AAC Championships in Dallas, Texas from Feb. 13-16.
"If I can come back from the conference championships and keep running with it, get back into training, I'll feel like I can compete and do something special at NCAAs."
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For an inside look at Cincinnati swimming and diving follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@GoBearcatsSwim).
Hanna was not recruited after graduating from Covington Catholic high school and swimming locally for the Northern Kentucky Clippers club team. He decided to keep honing his skills on the club team here on campus.
"I spent the first years on the club team relaxed and having a little bit fun," said Hanna. "The second year, I set some goals that I wanted to win because I am a very competitive person and I wanted to win at the club level, but knew I had to put in a NCAA-level performance to do that. I had to train like a NCAA athlete during that time."
The work that Hanna put in during his club seasons paid off. Hanna competed at the Olympic trials last year and holds two UC school records.
"I wasn't offered a spot on the team," said Hanna. "I was told I wasn't big enough, and I was told I wasn't cut out to be a NCAA swimmer at the Division-I level. I never had my sights set on that, never had my sights set on Olympic trials. So, I guess qualifying would be a dream come true as well."
Hanna is proud of his records in the 100 and 200-yard backstroke, but he knows that records are meant to be broken.
"I hope that one day somebody is able to beat those times because, the mark is for me, but also what I was able to do to elevate the program," said Hanna.
Hanna's had some competition on the team in the form his younger brother, Ethan Hanna, who attended the same high school as Blake and is now a Bearcat, just like his older brother.
"There is a rivalry in the house, and he still goes back to the one meet at the end of that summer saying, 'Hey – remember when I beat you in your best event? The one you qualified for NCAAs and Olympic trials in?'," joked Hanna.
The brotherly competition, coupled with the coaching staff, have been the keys to success in Hanna's rise.
"Coaches have helped me build my confidence and, more than anything, have given me the tools I need to succeed and worked with me every step of the way," said Hanna.
Even after an unconventional four years in Clifton, Hanna wouldn't have had it any other way.
"It has been a great four years that I have been able to swim on the NCAA team here and if I had to do it all over again, I would, because I loved the people I did this with," said Hanna.
A personal goal for Hanna this season is to make it back to the NCAA championships. One of his final opportunities to qualify is next week at the AAC Championships in Dallas, Texas from Feb. 13-16.
"If I can come back from the conference championships and keep running with it, get back into training, I'll feel like I can compete and do something special at NCAAs."
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For an inside look at Cincinnati swimming and diving follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@GoBearcatsSwim).