CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Nikki Hinsdale (Glen Mills, Pa./Bayard Rustin) will be one of the busiest Kutztown student-athletes when the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Swimming Championships begin this evening at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg.

That's fine with the sophomore because if she achieves her life goal, she will always be on the move. Hinsdale would love to become a photographer for National Geographic magazine. She's already been to Switzerland, Germany, Alaska and Florida along with several other places in between.
 
"I love traveling and to be able to do that would make me happy," Hinsdale said.
 
While Hinsdale has her eye toward the future, she is also focused on the present. Placing high as a team, swimming possible personal best times and establishing school records would place a smile as wide as the world on Hinsdale's face. She will most likely be a part of all five relays for the Golden Bears this weekend. If everything goes according to plan, Hinsdale could be swimming nine times during the course of the four-day event.
 
"She is very versatile," Flannery said.  "She can swim any distance from 100 to 1000 yards in freestyle and is a really strong backstroker and has swum the 200 IM when needed.  Nikki is also a strong relay swimmer."
 
With a work-ethic second to none, Hinsdale is also her biggest critic. She spends countless hours breaking down her performances. Her 5-10 frame has helped earn a slight advantage over her opponents this season because she's able to touch the wall quicker than others.
 
"I spend a lot of time concentrating on little things," Hinsdale said. "I pick at my turns because I think they could be faster. I also spend time focusing on rolling more in the water. Sometimes, I daydream for what seems like two hours when I am in the water."
 
That determination and drive helped Hinsdale team with Steph Jeppesen (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty), Kerry Choplin (Thorofare, N.J./West Deptford) and Heather Wolkom (Rumson, N.J./Rumson Fair-Haven Regional ) set a school record in the 800-yard free relay during last year's PSAC championship meet (7:52.94). In her signature events this season, Hinsdale's top times have been 1:01.52 (100-yard backstroke) and 2:14.25 (200-yard backstroke).
 
There was a time when Hinsdale almost didn't make it into the pool. As an 8-year-old, Hinsdale went with her best friend to try out for the Westtown Aquatic Piranhas. Her friend made it at first and Hinsdale did not. A short time later, Hinsdale was added to the team. From there, Hinsdale continued to develop. She was a key member at West Chester Rustin High School before finding her way to Berks County.
 
Hinsdale is also a standout in the classroom. She made the Dean's List last spring was a member of the PSAC all-scholar team. Last year as a freshman, Hinsdale had her best performance in the 500-yard freestyle at the Franklin and Marshall Invite with a time of 5.22.34. She placed first at F & M invite in the 200 free with a time of 1:58.90.
 
She is excited for the weekend and at what the future portends for her.
 
"Hopefully, we'll place in the top four as a team," Hinsdale said. "We would like to break some relay records. I think we have a decent shot at breaking these records. I know we're all going to go out and do our best this weekend."