Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Hello everybody, welcome again to another episode of the Minnesota Swimmin' Vibescast. I am your host, Mark Siegwin, and I have very special guest today. I have Anna Schottler. Anna, welcome. Hi. Tell everyone just a little bit about your swimming history. They may not be super familiar with you, ⁓ but let her rip. Anna Schottler: Hi. Yeah, so for high school I swam for Chanhassen High School and then my club team was Aqua Jets and then now I'm at the College of St. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Excellent. So freshman year, college, St. Ben's, ⁓ what led you to swim at St. Ben's? How'd you choose that as your school, as your program, as your home for the next four years? Yeah, no, it's a good question. Anna Schottler: Yeah, I get this question a lot, so. Yeah. And honestly, it's kind of hard to pinpoint exactly when I decided that I wanted to go here, like what specific reason, but I was kind of driving up to campus for my recruitment trip, my overnight visit, and I was seeing all these people outside. It was a very nice summer day, unlike many of the days we have right now, but it was just so peaceful, and I was like, okay, I'm. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: ⁓ Right on. Anna Schottler: really liking this place and then my recruitment overnight visit really sold it. Everyone on the team was super welcoming and just super sweet and Mandy is an awesome coach and from what I heard about her I knew my season as a freshman was going to be great with her so that kind of solidified my wanting to go to St. Ben's. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah, let's dove tail into your first season here. So I knew you as a high school and a club swimmer, and I saw you as you could swim D1 at some places, certainly D2, D3. What was your first season like at a D3 program? Have your times changed? Have you improved? How's your life swim balance? What's your first year that been like? Anna Schottler: Yeah, so I would say my first year was pretty good. Before my mid-season meet, I kind of had a rocky moment where I was out for almost a month with an injury and I wasn't really competing. I didn't compete at a lot of meets and I didn't really practice right before our mid-season meet. So I was really stressed about that because I was like, there goes the rest of my season. Like I was really looking forward. I was kind of hoping that I would have like a really good standout scene. season as a first year because all of my meets leading up to this injury I was doing like pretty good. I was where I wanted to be and so that was really unfortunate. So yeah, I would definitely say big change from everything. I've never had like an injury before in past where I've had to sit out of practice and watch everyone else practice, which was really, it was hard. Yeah, it was hard. Yeah. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: It's boring. As a coach, can tell you it's boring. Anna Schottler: But one of the other girls on the team, she was kind of going through something as well. So we like stuck together a lot during that time. And it was really nice to have someone to lean against it was really nice to know that someone else was through the kind of the same thing and that we were both going to be able to get back into it. And so then I went into my midseason meet, ⁓ not really expecting that much having not really swam and everyone else was tapered so I was just kind of like, we'll just see where it goes. And I actually had a pretty decent meetup for I would say being out a month. was like half a second off my best times, a couple of my best times, so I was really excited about that. And I got to swim on some of the realize that we set like previous school records before we broke them again at MIX, but it was pretty good. yeah, I would say that's kind of like the start of my season. And then Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Very cool. ⁓ Anna Schottler: like the transition from college to high school. ⁓ I've always been a pretty well organized person. So it wasn't that difficult. Me and Mandy were kind of talking about this too, cause I mentioned that I was gonna be on this podcast and she was like, you're not exactly like the most, ⁓ I don't know. pretty like, I don't really like have issues where I can't like solve them. I'm really like. driven person. So if I am having problems, I'm going to fix it that day. So yeah, very type A. Yeah. Yeah. So ⁓ my schedule was always booked from dawn till dusk and I knew exactly what I was going to do that day. So I didn't have like, pretty much any problems with like figuring out my schedule in my life, work and swim balance. So yeah, I would say I did a pretty good job with that. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: ⁓ The type A swimming mind. Yes, we are many. Yeah. Anna Schottler: school in the morning, swim in the afternoon, friends in the evening, and homework. yeah. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Perfect. That's a good life right there. That's why I would still be in college if they'd let me stay. Because I could deal with that, right? Like I get up, I do some school, I go swim, hang out with friends, go to bed, repeat. It's a good gig. It's a lot of work, but it's a good gig. Let's fast forward to my acts. How did it all turn out for you as far as your performances? Was the entry a factor? Did it set you back in your first year? was like, maybe I want to do over or did you find some success? Anna Schottler: ⁓ yeah, it's super fun. Thank you. Yeah. ⁓ I would definitely say I found some success. again, was really worried going in because I was like, I had like less meets than everyone, less trading by like a good month than everyone else. But I like talked to Mandy about it and she was like, you don't need to worry. You don't need to stress about this. It's going to be fine. And during taper, like something about me as a swimmer is whenever we're doing like broken or like timed for like a certain time. I'm never going that time. I'm always like good five, 10 seconds away from the times that I should be hitting. Yeah. So I was just sitting there like chewing my nails. I'm like, Oh my gosh, I'm doing horrible. Like I'm to be horrible at my ex. I'm going to swim terribly and they're putting me on these relays and I'm going to let everyone down. And so yeah, pretty typical sprinter where I'm getting in my head before every single race just Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yep. Classic sprinter right there. Classic sprinter. Yeah, yeah. Anna Schottler: worried about how it's gonna go. So yeah, that was kind of like my taper time. And then towards the end, I was just like, you know what, it's gonna come together at the meet and I don't need to stress about something that I can't really control. I put in the training and like I know like all the training that I've done that Mandy and Michaela, our assistant coach have wrote for us is gonna come in and I'm gonna be just fine. So I get to my ex and the first day is Wednesday and we have Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah. Yep. Anna Schottler: the Medley Relay and the Eight Free Relay. I'm on the Medley Relay and ⁓ I'm up before the blocks before I'm about to dive in. We're doing really good right now. ⁓ We have two or three other awesome swimmers. have Haley doing ⁓ Fly, Megan doing breaststroke and Mary doing backstroke and they're all awesome. It would not have happened without them. How like we got our school record again by over a second from I think when we had it. in the fall. And we won by like over a second. So that was really exciting. Yeah. So I think that really set the tone for how the meet was going to go. like having one swim to like just like start and see where I'm at is really helpful. It kind of made me feel a lot more confident going into the rest of the weekend. The rest of the swims that I did that weekend, I think the 50 free was on Thursday. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah, I was there for that. I watched it. It was an amazing swim. Anna Schottler: And so I swam that prelims finals, dropping like maybe a point three in between prelims and finals, which was really exciting. And then I ended up getting second. I'm like, yes. No. Yeah. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Was that your first ever 23? Had you gone 23 before? All right. So you break the 24 barrier, uh, 23, eight, if I remember correctly. Um, yeah. So amazing swim. Um, and then obviously after that you go into what's your third event? I am thinking 5,300 free. Nice. Every sprinter hates that event, by the way. Anna Schottler: Yeah, something like that. Mm-hmm. Too Free, But that was... Yeah, we didn't know if I was gonna do the Too Free or the 100 Fly until I got there, so we were just gonna see where everyone was at, and then Mandy was like, so, Too Free, and I was like, ⁓ Meest favorite event. Yep, exactly, I was like, I just really don't like the Too Free, and definitely one of the most stressful events, too, where I'm just like... Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yep. Yep. I know. God, I hope taper gets me through the last hundred. Nobody does. For sure. How'd go though? Did you have a good swim? Anna Schottler: Yeah, it was great actually. In prelims, I think I went a 158, which was a second drop from my best time. And then maybe back into B finals. I really wanted to get into A finals, but I missed it like by half a second. yeah, was, yeah. But I was like, all right, now I need to win A finals or B finals. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: What you got? out of your control. Yep. Anna Schottler: So then I dropped a couple more seconds off my like prelims time for a 156. So I was pretty happy with that. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah, you should be, you absolutely should be. And I think that's kind of pretty close to an alignment with what your 100 time is, right? So yeah, that's awesome. That's outstanding. And then you finish it up with a hundred free, which I looked at as your best event when I watched you swim. I was like, I, I, I, well tapered. ⁓ I've saw plenty of, of great 75s during the season when he used to swim high school and then the wheels kind of come off the last 25, but you know, a taper is going to fix that. ⁓ so how'd the hundred go for you? Anna Schottler: in this. Yeah. It was pretty good. I would say that the 100 and me never usually like, it's very much of a toss up. I've had a pretty interesting history with that one where I've been stuck at like 56s for like two years and then maybe I'll drop like half a second to get a 55 and then I'll be stuck there for the longest time. And then I finally got like a 54 like maybe a year or two ago. And so I was pretty happy with that. And I was like, all right, we just need to like. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yep. Yep. Anna Schottler: Go with 54. I wasn't expecting that much. Obviously, I want to do good. I'm someone who is always pushing to be better. I'm very driven and I'm never satisfied with what I get. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Sure. And it's so you never will be, right? Yep. Anna Schottler: Yeah, yeah, everyone's like that, that I've met from swimming that always pushing to be better, always wanting more. So the 100 Free is definitely also up there for one of the most nerve wracking events for me. A lot of expectations on it. And just based off of how like the rest of my meet or like my previous like swims had been going, everyone was like, all right, Anna, let's see something awesome. And I was like, don't expect too much. Yeah, just hoping for. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: On demand. Anna Schottler: whatever I had left and obviously it's the fourth day of the meet I swam. Yes. Yeah, I think it would be, I think it was about to be my eighth race. So I was like, we'll just see how this goes. Prelims went really well. I got seeded into fourth for finals. So was very excited about that. And I think I dropped down to a 53, first time ever going a 53 that day. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Gets old, not old, it gets tiring. Why stop there? Anna Schottler: Yeah, and I didn't. And so in finals, I dropped another second maybe, and I went at 52, first time ever going at 52. So broke 54 and 53 in the same day, so I was really happy about that. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah, and that's awesome. That's a great story. And I know the 100's hard and mentally, right? Anna Schottler: Yeah. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: It's a tough race sometimes you have that fear of going out too fast when you got to really look at it. Like it's just a 50 with a bonus 50. Um, right. So in the first 50, like you want to win a 50 and then you just kind of find a way through the second 50. And I don't think I've ever seen anyone just stop breathing and float. So you're going to be okay. You're going to be okay. Yeah. Anna Schottler: Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Yeah, no, I definitely learned that a little bit more this year. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: And you'll continue to learn that I think as you get the experience. Let's talk about Mayacs as a meat. I have been on record to say it's the funnest meat in the state of Minnesota, hands down. And that's even if Big Ten's are here, that's if whatever's here, ⁓ it's a fun meat. What's your perspective of the Mayak, a college conference meat? How would you describe it? Anna Schottler: You ⁓ Energy is always there. Prelims finals are the crowds brought the energy, our teams bring the energy. Everyone is so happy and excited and hyped up for everyone to swim, no matter if you're going to make it back for finals or not. Everyone is there watching you, cheering you on. So definitely like the main component of what everyone wants in a swimmy is energy. You always want people cheering you on and it's so, yeah, very exciting. ⁓ Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah. It's contagious. Anna Schottler: Yes, definitely. I knew like every time I was going up to the block, so there'd be people cheering me on, wanting me to do my best, rooting for me. And that was really awesome and really empowering, I would say. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: That's awesome. Yeah. It's just the meat and it does get long, right? Four days. Yeah. First day is just finals only, but four days of prelims finals. ⁓ you got downtime in between. You gotta learn how to manage that a little bit, right? Some people, some people go nap. Some people can't nap. Some people need to be busy. Some people just need to be chill. ⁓ Anna Schottler: Yeah. you And... Minnesota Swim And Vibe: but the energy's up for the whole thing. And it's a pretty crazy meet. If people haven't gone down to watch my acts, take the time to do it. It's what to me swimming is all about. And I wish every meet could be like that. I don't see a reason why it can't be, to be honest with you, but whatever, right? Let's talk about the coaching you've received. You've got Mandy, who's your head coach there. I have a ton of respect for Mandy, but how would you describe Mandy as a coach? What makes her Mandy? Anna Schottler: Yeah. Yes. Honestly, I see a lot of my personality, which I feel like she might not agree reflected into her, more of the way that she's driven, she's ambitious, she's not going to just settle. She wants us as her athletes to do the best. So I feel like she's very good at pushing us to strive for more than what we think we can achieve. So I think that is her best quality as a coach. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Absolutely. ⁓ one thing, and this is just from an outsider's perspective, she seems very, very invested into everyone on the team as an individual. Like I kind of feel like she's one of those people that if you're in a room with a hundred people, she still makes everyone feel like they're the most important person in the room. ⁓ cause she knows you guys, right? She's invested. You're not just a number or a time or a potential relay swimmer. She knows Anna. Anna Schottler: Yes. ⁓ yes. Okay. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: And Anna is different from whoever else is on the team and she treats you all kind of a little different. And I think that's a pretty cool thing. Anna Schottler: Yeah. Yes, 100%. She knows all of her athletes very well and probably knows them better than they even know themselves sometimes. ⁓ Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah. Yeah, you guys are getting to the age where you could actually admit that when you're in high school you think you know everything. ⁓ Now you're like, there's a lot out there I probably don't really know. Anna Schottler: Yeah. ⁓ Yeah, I might not be quite there yet, but getting to that point. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: No, at least you're not a boy. It takes us like 40 years to figure it out, right? Like you've got a chance in the next five years to get some of that taken care of. We're screwed. We're screwed. What advice do you have for kids out there starting the college process and looking around and, you know, what's your advice from your experience on how to approach it? Anna Schottler: Yeah. haha ⁓ Don't count out any schools in the start of your search. Kind of open your doors to everyone. Be open to seeing everything. You never know what you like until you actually look into it. That would be my biggest advice for just even the general college search. don't know what your... I always thought I would want a huge school. I didn't think I was really gonna swim or wanting to actually swim competitively, maybe just join a club team. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah. Sure. Anna Schottler: So it wasn't until I actually like, my mom was like, are you sure you don't want to look here? And I was like, um, like I don't want to. And she was like, Anna, you need to look more than just like what you thought you would like. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah, and look how it worked out. You're swimming great, you're happy, you're healthy, and you're on the road to post-college awesomeness. How about from a swimming perspective? What's been different in college swimming than high school swimming or club swimming for you? What has been an aha that you're like, wow, this is really different? Anna Schottler: Yeah, it worked out great. ⁓ Mm-hmm. ⁓ The season's definitely pretty long. I will say like it is high school season times double So I mean you get all those Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah, it does. That works out great when you have an injury early on, by the way, when you're talking through that, I'm like, don't worry. It's a 24 week season. got plenty of time, right? You don't want that, but it's there. Anna Schottler: Yeah. Yeah, no. Yeah, if there was any time to get an injury, I would say it's in the fall. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yep, good planning. All what else about college swimming is besides the length of it. Anna Schottler: I would say like you take the best of high school like you get the really super close team because you spend so much time together and ⁓ Like the great training of club and you put those together and that's college at least that's my experience Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah, no, that's awesome. I know a lot of people that would agree with that. One other thing about college is you have a bevy of events that you can swim. And as a sprinter, you typically have the approach of there's the 50 free and everything else. What's the most horrific out of the everything else Mandy put you in? Anna Schottler: ⁓ yeah. I'm gonna be honest, I didn't have to swim anything other than the 50, 100, 200 free and the 100 fly. I don't think, actually at the beginning of the season we did a pentathlon. So we did the 100 fly, 100 back, 100 breast, 100 free, 100 IM. And that was pretty hard to start off with. That was like one of our first meets of the season. But yeah, so I didn't really have to swim that many four IMs, miles, anything. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah, I was gonna say, I'm reaching out to Mandy after we get done here and I'm like, let's broaden Schottler's horizons a little bit, huh? She looks like a great 4IM-er from what I've seen. No. Yeah. Ah, you gotta explore some of that. Anna Schottler: ⁓ I'm gonna have to pass on that one I think. She did say that she wants me to try out. am a little bit more like going into Rochester next year, so I don't know. We'll see. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah. Yeah, that's the thing. You have a lot of meets and you can play around. ⁓ Not all of them are going to be highly competitive one way or the other. And it's a chance to explore. ⁓ you know, I did my fair share of thousand backstrokes in dual meets and stuff like that. It's just kind of good to get some different stuff in. I know that scares the hell out of you as a 50 swimmer, right? I know you guys. ⁓ Anna Schottler: Yeah. Yeah. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Do you get a lot of work group specific training in college that maybe you didn't get in high school? I know it's really hard to do work group in high school. Anna Schottler: Yeah, no, definitely. like, it can be, we have like ⁓ days where we're all together. We have days where we're a little bit more separate. We have days where we're doing like more like power resistance training. So yeah, there's definitely like a lot more like work group specific training. Like I know for me, ⁓ I need, ⁓ surprisingly, I need some decent amount of yards to actually get me through a whole, I know. So. ⁓ Yeah, there's definitely like, and Mandy takes this all in consideration. Like when I've talked to her, like I, in the end, I do know myself as a swimmer, like somewhat better than she would have coming into the season. And now I think she probably knows me better than I know myself, but yeah, no, definitely a lot more specific and you can tell her your goals and she'll like put you in the right practice group to reach those goals. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah, I just remember we did when we do work the distance people would get slaughtered and every now and then they're like once you move up to I'd be like on the lane line hugging like no don't move me over there I swear to god i'm a sprinter Anna Schottler: Yeah. No, yeah. Yeah, no, we watch, we get done with practice like 10 minutes early and we're just watching that. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Yeah, we don't... No. And then you're complaining about how hard your 2,500 yard practice was. Yeah, don't do that. Don't do that. That's not how you make friends. At least not with the distance people. Anna Schottler: Yep. Yeah, I try to have some respect for them knowing that I could never do what they do, so. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Right? No, I get it. I get it. Maybe a mile will be in your future. Yeah! Yeah! That's awesome. See, it's easy. They count for you and everything. Anna Schottler: I did just 500 once and that was enough. Yeah, it's pretty long though. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: It's pretty boring. It's pretty boring. Well, it's very good catching up to you. I'm so glad you're having so much success. I thought you were a great swimmer in high school. I know from my perspective, I saw potential for more if that's what you chose to pursue ⁓ at the next level. And I'm glad that you're finding it. And I'm excited to continue to watch you at St. Ben's ⁓ for a great program, a great college, and a great experience for you. So thank you for joining me. Anna Schottler: Yeah, of course. Thank you for having me. Minnesota Swim And Vibe: Always.