Kianna Lee leaves the Grandview girls swim team much better than she found it.
In four seasons, Lee has helped the Wolves move up six places in the standings at the Class 5A state swim meet, including a high of ninth at this season’s meet Feb. 9.
A senior team captain, Lee finished a tough season health-wise by taking 15th in the 50 freestyle and swam on two top-seven relays. She also placed twice individually at last season’s state meet.
Lee has a 4.20 GPA.
What is your favorite high school memory, athletically or otherwise?
There haven’t been many big high school memories but all of the little, small ones have really stuck with me! My team has made swimming and school so enjoyable. I have so many memories like our snow runs, record-breaking relays or team dinners that I just can’t pick a favorite.
What is the biggest sacrifice you have to make to play your sport?
The biggest sacrifice I’ve had to make to swim was just the time in general that I’ve put toward it. Not many other sports have two practices, before and after school. Another part to that is I was a two-sport athlete for about six years (swimming and volleyball). I had to make the decision to quit volleyball to fully commit myself to swimming. I still love both sports, but it was a tough sacrifice to give one of them up.
What’s the best piece of advice ever given to you in sports or in life?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is to never give up on anything. I stopped swimming competitively after my sophomore year and there was a lot of doubt not only from other people about how my swimming would continue, but from me as well. Coach Karen (Ammon) and my parents were always telling me that I had the drive and desire to do whatever I wanted to once I put my mind to it. I’ve been very fortunate that it has paid off this year for me!
Are you a leader? If so, what do you think makes a good leader in yourself or others?
I would consider myself a leader. I hope that my teammates are able to look up to me and feel comfortable talking to me about anything. I try balance my academics, athletics, and social life not only to be as successful as I can be, but also to try to set an example for my other swimmers on the team.
Do you have any quirks or superstitions when it comes to your sport or in life in general?
I don’t really have any quirks or superstitions. I get a little superstitious if I have a really good race or something and I’ll warm up/cool down or try to eat the same things as I did before it, but I don’t freak out if those things don’t happen.
If you listen to music before a game, what gets you most ready for competition? If not, how do you get focused?
The main thing that gets me focused before a race is just tuning everything out right before and thinking to myself. Honestly, music can be distracting to me sometimes just because I can’t completely focus on my race.
What’s a sport you’ve always wanted to try, but haven’t and why haven’t you?
That’s a tough one. I’ve tried most sports since I’ve been really young. I’ve always wanted to try golf though, because that’s something that my dad loves to do. He’s always wanted me to get into it, but I’ve just never had time with swimming.
If you could pick a person living or dead to spend a day with, who would it be and why?
I would probably choose Kerri Walsh, the three-time Olympic gold medalist for beach volleyball. She’s just one of my favorite players to watch, and she seems like such a nice person.
Other than sports, do you have another true passion in life and if so, what is it and why?
My main passions are my sports and I’ve been extremely satisfied with those, so I don’t really have any other significant passions.
What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
I hope to still be staying active with swimming and playing volleyball at the rec center just for fun. I’d love to move out to California and probably start a family and get married. The usual stuff!
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
What’s not to love and admire about KIANNA LEE!!! Of course she’s my precious great-niece, and I’ve adored her since the moment she was born. When she was “much younger,” she was my favorite playmate, but then she outgrew me and turned me over to her kid brother, who controls me to this day. We’re all very proud of our “little mermaid” KIANNA! –Uncle Jack in L.A.