Oeltjen Ready for Dream Swim in Omaha

This article is the fourth in a series setting the stage for Nebraska swimmers competing in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, June 26-July 3. Six Huskers from the 2015-16 women's swimming team have qualified for U.S. Trials.

Jeff Griesch
Huskers.com

After hitting the water for the Omaha Cup at the CenturyLink Center, Nebraska captain Erin Oeltjen is ready for a dream swim at the U.S. Olympic Trials, June 26-July 3.

Oeltjen, an Omaha native who will be competing in the 100 and 200-meter backstrokes at the U.S. Trials, won the 100-meter back at the Omaha Cup with a U.S. Trials-qualifying time of 1:02.76 on June 17. That was an affirmation of the cut in the 100 that she produced at Winter Nationals in December.

"It's very humbling and exciting to represent the state of Nebraska and the city of Omaha at the trials," Oeltjen said. "With Omaha being fortunate enough to host the Olympic Trials in 2008 and 2012, it's always been a dream of mine to get to compete in a meet of that caliber."

Oeltjen said she will get unbelievable support during her swims at the U.S. Trials.

"I had such a great club experience with MAC (Millard Aquatic Club), and then in high school at Millard West," Oeltjen said. "The Nebraska swim community is so close-knit and unique. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support I've received from Nebraska coaches and swimmers."

One of her biggest supporters has been Nebraska Coach Pablo Morales.

"Erin is a great Omaha story. She has some terrific talent that is really just starting to rise to the surface," Morales said. "She broke through in December at Winter Nationals by posting U.S. Trials cuts in two events. It was unbelievably exciting to see that, and to see her performance continue to improve. Erin is a great student, a great teammate, a great leader and a great person. She is a two-time team captain for us, so that gives you a pretty good indication how much respect our entire team has for her and her work ethic."

Oeltjen's work ethic has been driven by both dreams and reality.

"I've always been a realist when it came to making goals for myself, so qualifying in both events was pretty shocking. I was definitely surprised when I made my cuts in the 100 and 200 back at Winter Nationals," Oeltjen said. "I qualified for the 100 back in a time trial and while I was swimming, I felt great and knew it would be a good swim, but I had no idea that it would be fast enough to get the cut. The best part of that day was getting to hug Pablo on my way to the cool-down pool, and then call my old coach, Tracy Stauffer, to tell him the news."

Oeltjen said her qualification in the 200 backstroke might have been even more memorable because of the work she put in to succeed in the event.

"The 200 back has really been a work in progress with Pablo throughout my college career, so that swim was pretty special for both of us," Oeltjen said. "My parents were also able to make the trip out to Seattle for Winter Nationals so they got to see me qualify in both events, which meant the world to me. It was just one of those experiences you'll never forget."

While Oeltjen's individual performances were memorable at Winter Nationals, she was even more proud of the way the Huskers represented themselves in and out of the pool at Nationals.

"Even though we were only able to take a smaller team to Winter Nationals, Nebraska most definitely had a presence at the meet," Oeltjen said. "Katt Sickle started the meet off with an Olympic Trials qualifying swim in her 400 freestyle. I still get goosebumps thinking about all of us cheering her on for her last 50. After Katt's swim, our team was on fire."

Oeltjen said she expects the feelings and emotions to be even more intense at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

"I've tried to imagine how it will feel when I get to swim at Trials, knowing my friends, family, past coaches and teammates will be cheering me on, but it's just too much," Oeltjen said. "All I can do is smile. This is really a dream come true for me."

While Oeltjen is focused on her own performance at the trials, she also knows that she will be pulling for and cheering on her Husker teammates with the same intensity that she will use in the water.

"As a captain, I've learned a lot this past season both about myself and about the unique culture we have with our Nebraska swimming and diving program," Oeltjen said. "Pablo has always told us that a great leader brings out the best in her teammates. I'm hoping with the Trials, I'll see some swims my teammates didn't even know they were capable of, and I'll get to continue serving them as a leader. Whether that's making sure every swimmer hears a 'GO BIG RED' before they dive for their race, a little pre-swim prayer, keeping things light-hearted and silly, or being there to talk through the nerves."

For Oeltjen, knowing what each individual swimmer needs to help her succeed at the highest level is part of her responsibility as a captain. It is also one of the best parts about being a Husker.

"These girls that I swim with are really more like sisters," Oeltjen said. "We live together, have classes together, eat together and get to do life together every day. This spring, the coaches challenged us to truly dedicate ourselves in our training and goal-setting with the Omaha Cup and the Olympic Trials in mind. When your teammates hold you accountable to your goals and what they know you're capable of, it totally affects how you train. There's been such a great atmosphere at practice and when we all hang out. I feel like the training this spring and summer has brought us a lot closer as a team. I have no doubt this passion and next-level training will continue into the fall."

While Oeltjen is immediately focused on swimming at Trials and the upcoming season, she also has a good concept of the big picture of life and loves to keep her current teammates included in the future she sees for herself.

"I've had the opportunity to do undergraduate research in the microbiology lab on campus for about a year now, which has had a pretty big impact on my career goals," Oeltjen said. "I would like to go to medical school and stay very involved with biomedical research. I've joked with my teammates that my 10-year plan includes me graduating from medical school and having a prime tailgate location to host swim and dive alumni for Husker football games. What more could you want?"

Although Oeltjen's imagined future is meant to draw laughter, her intention to stay connected and give back to the Nebraska community is serious and real.

"I fall in love with the University of Nebraska more and more every day. I honestly believe that there is no way I would be competing at the Olympic Trials if I had gone to any other school," Oeltjen said. "Nebraska has been the perfect environment to grow and start to figure out who I am and who I want to be. I've grown as a leader, as a student, as an athlete, and in my faith at Nebraska. I am so thankful to Pat (Rowan) and Pablo for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this program. I'm constantly overwhelmed by the amount of love and support I have from my teammates, coaches, strength coaches, friends and family. I've never loved swimming more than I have as a Husker. There truly is no place like Nebraska."