Jasmine Koch got out of her comfort zone as a team captain, but it’s made her senior year at Rangeview special.
One of the girls swim team captains built the bonds that helped the Raiders win another Aurora Public Schools Championship victory on Jan. 26. She finished third in the 200-yard individual medley and 100 breaststroke, swam on the winning 200 freestyle relay team and helped spur a young group to victory over its district rivals.
Koch, 17, has 4.561 GPA and ranks in the top 10 of Rangeview’s senior class. She has no athletic scholarships, but is considering going to CU-Denver, Regis or the University of Denver.
What is your favorite high school memory, athletically or otherwise?
Being the swim team captain this year. I hoped to make this season memorable for the team by organizing team bonding events. We went to the Denver Zoo Lights one night and later, had a movie day followed by a game of Guesstures. …Winning the APS Championship was the highlight of my 4 years of swimming and being able to carry on the title with my team makes me extremely proud to be a part of the Rangeview High School swim team.
What is the biggest sacrifice you have to make to play your sport?
The biggest sacrifice I had to make was getting out of my comfort zone this year and getting to know the whole team. I was able to connect to my teammates in a way that I never thought I could. Staying positive and energized all the time to keep the atmosphere positive was also difficult at times. My time spent at practice (especially Saturday practices) took up time that I normally spent working or doing homework for my classes.
What’s the best piece of advice given to you in sports or in life?
“You can’t please everyone in life; there will always be someone who will not like you or appreciate what you’re doing. The best thing to do is to go with what is right and what I know is best for everyone.” I have had a few people advise this to me. The most prominent person would most likely be my classmate and friend Feyone La, she is someone I trust and works really hard to be where she is today. It’s inspiring.
Are you a leader? If so, what do you think makes a good leader in yourself or others?
I am a leader. A good leader can put aside differences and work with others in any situation. They are the ones who will stand up against a popular belief to defend the one they believe in. They can take criticism and see where improvement can be made. More importantly, a good leader puts the needs of others before their own.
Do you have any quirks or superstitions when it comes to your sport or in life in general?
Not at all, there is no routine or lucky charm that I apply to my sport or life. I would rather enjoy the moment instead of worrying if I missed something.
If you listen to music before a meet, what gets you most ready for a competition? If not, how do you get focused?
My body knows what it’s doing. All I have to do is tell myself that I can do it and let my body do the rest. Autopilot is a beautiful thing.
What’s a sport you’ve always wanted to try, but haven’t and why haven’t you?
Poms was something I’ve always wanted to try because I love to dance. Swimming was more important to me though so I chose what I knew I could contribute most to.
If you could pick a person living or dead to spend a day with, who would it be and why?
I would say my fifth grade English teacher, Ms. Damitz. She was extremely cool and really encouraged me to express myself through my writing and presentations. I will never forget when she walked into class with her pony tail on top of her head, her skirt pulled up over her stomach, her arms swinging wildly at her sides, and the funniest expression on her face just so we could learn about judgment. She made learning fun.
Other than sports, do you have another true passion in life and if so what?
I’ve always loved to read. It is a way that I can get away from reality and imagine the world that the writer has created. I can spend a whole day reading a good book. It’s almost tragic when I finish a book. I can reread books over and over to a point where I know exactly where my favorite part is.
What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
I would like to have graduated college by then and have started my own business in orthodontics, but you never really know what curveball life will throw at you. I want to travel abroad and help others get medical aid as well as speak Spanish fluently. Some part of me also wants to settle down as well, get married, have a family, you know, just regular stuff.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
