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Nebraska senior Erin Oeltjen has been a major contributor for the Husker swimming and diving team for four seasons. The two-time captain from Omaha (Millard West) competed in the 100- and 200-meter backstrokes at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, and is one of NU's top returning performers at the Big Ten Championships.
Outside the pool, Oeltjen is a two-time academic All-Big Ten selection and a three-time member of the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team. She also earned a prestigious Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award in 2016.
Erin took time out from her busy class and training schedule to answer a few questions.
What's your favorite animal?
Jellyfish
What's your favorite candy?
Anything chocolate. There’s no way I could choose only one!
Who is your celebrity crush?
Chris Pratt
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Our family vacation to Belize
What are your pre-meet rituals?
Before a big meet I always make an elaborate packing list, download some new music, and visualize how I want to swim my races.
What superpower would you choose?
I would want to be able to teleport.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would really like to go on a month-long vacation with my family to Europe.
What is your dream job?
It’s a strong tie between a wedding planner and cupcake connoisseur.
What is your fondest swimming memory?
The entire experience of swimming at Nationals this past December tops my chart for fondest swimming memory. There were so many lifetime bests, Olympic Trials cuts, happy tears, “Go Big Reds”, and memories made in Federal Way (Wash.). When I made the Olympic Trials cut in the 100 backstroke I can vividly remember seeing my parents celebrating in the stands, getting a congratulations hug from Pablo (Morales), and getting to call my old coach to tell him the good news.
What does success mean to you?
In my time at Nebraska, I’ve come to define success as knowing I am training, competing, and acting in a way that brings out the best in both myself and my teammates.