Athlete Q&A: Sterling's Charli Wike

In the four years that she has been on Sterling High School's Swimming team, Charli Wike can tell anyone that, without a doubt, competition gets tougher as one gets older.

As a freshman in 2010, Wike qualified for the IHSA State Meet in three events: the 100-meter breaststroke, the 200-yard medley relay (which she opened), and the 400-yard freestyle relay (which she swam second). In all three events, Wike won or was a part of a sectional championship.

In the next two years since then, however, Wike has qualified for State in three events. She ran the third leg on the sectional-winning 400 free relay as a sophomore, won the 200-yard individual medley as a junior, and took third in sectionals in the 100 breaststroke. In the latter race, Wike posted a Top 25 finish at State with a time of 1:06.80.

Being her senior year, Wike is determined to not just get back to the State Meet, but to also compete in more than just a single event and go out with a fast time.

Q: What do you like and enjoy about swimming? A: I've been swimming for about 14 years. It's what I'm used to. The more I'm in it, the more I love it. It's in my family.

Q: What do you think makes swimming better than any other sport? A: I wouldn't say that swimming is any better than any other sport, but I think there's more pride because I believe that, in swimming, you have to put in the training. You can't just go to a few practices and say "I have a meet this weekend and I'll be fine." It's not like football where you can just learn the plays. Not that football doesn't have to work, but swimming takes a lot of dedication.

Q: Tell me about someone who inspires you in athletics, and why?
A: I'd say that my principal, Mr. Austin, my aunt Maggie, and my parents are a big part of my sports career. I feel like they're always there to make sure I am on track, making sure I'm taking care of myself, making sure I'm making the right decisions, and making sure I'm just doing okay and training hard and being the best person I can be.

Q: Obviously, for goals for you and the team, they involve the usual postseason success. But are there any other goals that you and your team are shooting for?
A: I think this year, since we lost all of our key older swimmers, I think this year is about having fun and seeing what we can do. I really like this year's team. We're all pretty close.

Q: Describe your role on this team.
A: I would say that I have had a lot of struggles with my swimming career in the past. Just between multiple different things. I feel like the coaches look to me to make sure that the other swimmers aren't making the same mistakes that I did, and just encourage everybody to be as positive and successful as they can be.

Q: Is this something you want to go to college for?
A: Yes. I'm looking at the University of Tampa, and a little bit of University of Iowa, and a little bit of University of Nebraska. And St. Louis a little bit.

Q: What do you think has been the biggest improvement in your high school swimming career since you were a freshman?
A: I would say that my freshman year was actually one of my most successful. I feel like I was just so care-free and I really didn't think about the pain in swimming. As time went on, the more struggles came, and I kind of psyched myself out in all of my meets. But this year I finally realized that, what's the worst that can happen? It's all in your head and you just got to give it all you got.

Q: You talked about struggles. What were they?
A: My times were always up and I just wasn't getting the swims that I wanted. It's really frustrating when you put in all that time, and you don't get the times that you want.

Q: Finish this sentence about yourself: Other than swimming, no one can beat me at ...
A: Laughing. I don't think anyone can laugh as hard as I can laugh; and as loud and obnoxious as i can laugh.

Q: If there was one rule about high school swimming that you would like to see changed, what would it be?
A: I would like swimming to be in the winter. I'm a runner, too. My freshman year, I was actually debating whether I was doing cross country or swimming. I don't know what I would have done if I wouldn't have chosen swimming.

Q: What message would you like to give to younger girls that like to be in swimming?
A: I would say that it's a real good decision and it keeps you out of trouble. It gets you friends when there's a struggle to find them. It really keeps you on track. It keeps your grades good. The coaches take real good care of you and make sure you are staying on track with your life. It's a real fun program to be in.

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Pro Athlete: Rebecca Soni
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