Sports

Swim queen

Falon Hopkins dreams of making it to the Olympics

By Christena Christman
The Daily Cougar

Compassionate, hard working and generous.

These are some of the words used to describe senior swimmer Falon Hopkins. Sheis been on the Cougar swimming and diving team since her freshman year.

She has overcome many obstacles to ultimately reign as queen of the swim team. Hopkins, who said she has been swimming competitively since she was nine, enjoys competing, winning and leading.

Hopkins is a native Houstonian who attended Lamar High School and picked UH over Texas A&M, Fresno State and San Diego to be at a good program closer to home.

She once tried running, but nothing compared to swimming, she said. Though swimming plays a major part of her life, Hopkins said she feels it is important to keep active on land as well as in the water. Her coach describes her as a natural leader.

"Sheis constantly leading the younger members of the team," swimming head coach Mark Taylor said. "At early practice sheis on the phone calling the team members that didnit show up early."

Hopkins is just like any other college senior. "(Iim) counting down the days until itis all over," she said. After graduation, Hopkins will train for one more year in preparation for the Olympic trials. She hopes to pursue her dream of qualifying for the Olympics.

But swimming and classes arenit the only things that keep Hopkins busy.

She also enjoys watching football and the Houston Rockets. Like plenty of college students, she also enjoys sleeping and talking on the phone.

Hopkins also loves to dance and sing -- but not in front of a lot of people. Thatis probably the thing that kept her from auditioning for <I>American Idol<P>.

Sheis a kinesiology and sports administration major who plans to take her experience in sports to open her own sports clinic. She said she sees herself as a successful businesswoman in 10 years.

Although she plans to have a career, she also said she wants to be married with kids. She wouldnit divulge the personis name, but Hopkins said there was someone in her life.

Outside of swimming Hopkins feels her strongest point is her leadership skills. Also, being there for somebody is whatis important, she said. As a senior, Hopkins is saddened that her team is progressing and she wonit be here next year to see its evolution. She said sheill miss competing and sharing in her teammatesi success.

"Its hard work and youive got to want to really do it, " Hopkins said to those wanting to follow in her footsteps. Hopkins would like to be remembered at UH as a girl who loves to have fun.

"Iim inspired by people with a will, and people with a drive, those that are self motivated keep me motivated," Hopkins said.

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