Maria Gramelspacher is in the midst of her last season as a collegiate athlete, and she's determined to make it as successful as her first three.
Since her freshman season, she's accomplished more than most will in a career. She owns the fastest 100-yard butterfly time in Ball State history, the second-fastest 200-yard fly time, and is a member of three different record-holding relays.
"With this being my last season, I was looking to improve in the fly and post the best times of my career," Gramelspacher said, while adding that a top-eight finish at the MAC Championships is in her sights as well.
"I did some turn work and worked on my technique, but a lot of it is just repetition and time in the pool," Gramelspacher said.
She's just a couple seconds off her career-best time in the 100 and 200 butterfly, and she posted the fastest 200 fly time (2:04.24) and the eighth-fastest 100 fly time (57.16) in the MAC this season.
Gramelspacher is one of five seniors on the Cardinals' roster, and coach Laura Seibold-Caudill has put a lot on the shoulders of the upperclassmen. So far, the senior group of Gramelspacher, Katie Bylsma, Alanna Bader, Jessica Elzinga and Catherine Ingram have met the challenge.
"I think we have good leadership because we've been through a lot," Gramelspacher said. "We showed the younger kids the ropes, and they made a great transition. We're just a cohesive team as a whole.
"The biggest thing this year is our attitude. Everyone is headed in the right direction. We're optimistic and positive, too, and that makes a big difference."
The undefeated Cardinals host Findlay and Grand Valley State in the Doug Coers Invitational this weekend, and it's a meet that Gramelspacher has an excellent history with. She posted two season-best times there last year. Ball State won the meet by 185 points.
"It's one of our only home meets, so we just want to represent BSU at home and go into Thanksgiving break on a good note," Gramelspacher said.
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