BY BRADLEY LINAM | PHOTOS BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS
Addison Wicklund has been swimming competitively since the age of seven. Her older brother and sister have also been swimming since a young age. The entire family has been a constant source of encouragement through the years for the freshman standout swimmer from Rogers.
Addison won the state championship earlier this year in the 100-yard butterfly at the 2021 6A Girls State Swimming Championships. She’s already one of the top swimmers in the state of Arkansas and has a lot of time left in her high school career.
We asked Addison what her message to young athletes interested in competitive swimming would be and she told us. “Keep looking for the event that makes you happy. Swimming may not be a really well-known sport but it’s super fun”.
Addison would like to swim in college, preferably somewhere in the SEC. “That’s definitely one of my goals in the future,” she said.
We spoke with Addison recently and she gave us some insight on her swimming career and personal life.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I LOVE DOING NAILS. I ALSO ENJOY RUNNING CROSS-COUNTRY AND TRACK.
HAS THERE BEEN A SPECIFIC SWIMMER THAT YOU HAVE LOOKED UP TO AND INSPIRED BY?
OBVIOUSLY IT USED TO BE MICHAEL PHELPS BECAUSE HE IS SUPER DECORATED. NOW IT’S KATIE LeDECKY.
DO YOU ENJOY WATCHING OLYMPIC SWIMMING EVENTS ON TV?
YES, I LOVE WATCHING THE OLYMPICS ON TV. IT’S SUPER COOL AND INTERESTING. WHEN THE 17-YEAR-OLD FROM ALASKA WON THE 100 BREAST, WHICH WAS SUPER CRAZY.
WHAT OTHER SPORTS DO YOU ENJOY?
CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FOODS?
PASTA AND PIZZA
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU ENJOY DOING WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN SCHOOL OR COMPETING IN SWIMMING?
I LOVE TO HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS, GET FOOD AND PLAY TENNIS FOR FUN.
FAVORITE MOVIE?
PITCH PERFECT
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?
THIS SUMMER I WENT WITH MY FAMILY TO HAWAII. I WENT SCUBA DIVING AND SAW THREE SHARKS.