Biography
JUNIOR
Letter award winner.
Timed 1:53.00 in the 200 medley relay at George Fox, March 20.
Sprinted to a time of 25.26 in the 50 freestyle at George Fox, March 27.
Clocked in a time of 59.62 in the 100 butterfly at Geroge Fox, March 27.
Raced to a time of 1:45.61 in the 200 freestyle relay at Lewis & Clark, March 6.
Season-best time of 1:09.99 in the 100 backstroke against Willamette, March 13.
SOPHOMORE
Letter award winner.
Northwest Conference Scholar Athlete.
Competed in 200 freestyle relay, 100 butterfly, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 200 medley relay at the NWC Championships.
FRESHMAN
Letter award winner.
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
Four-year letter winner in swimming.
Competed in sprint freestyle and butterfly.
First-team All-State honoree.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Majoring in exercise science with a minor in psychology minor.
Daughter of Jill and Larry Shields.
Dean’s List recipient.
WHY LINFIELD? I chose Linfield because as soon as I stepped on campus, it felt like home. I was looking for a school that would challenge me academically, but where I could also participate in competitive athletics, and be supported by my coaches and professors in both. When I discovered Linfield, a place where I can truly do everything I am passionate about to the best of my abilities, there was no question if this was the place for me.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A STUDENT-ATHLETE AT LINFIELD? Being a student-athlete at Linfield means being supported in everything I do. From professors that ask me how my meets went, to my coaches understanding that my academics come first, to other athletes making the effort to support my team (especially when swimming doesn't typically get as much support, it does here!), I know that I have endless support in every area of my life from Linfield.
WHAT MAKES YOU INTERESTING AS A STUDENT-ATHLETE? In addition to being a student-athlete, I work at Linfield as an RA. It has been such a great way to develop my leadership and communication skills, which helps out in the pool and in the classroom. I love seeing my residents make new connections and discover their love for Linfield just like I did as a freshman!
WHAT IS NEXT AFTER LINFIELD? My ultimate career goal is to work with kids and teens as a physical therapist. Linfield's incredible exercise science program has helped me push myself academically and I already know that upon leaving Linfield, I will feel prepared for the grad school work ahead of me. By offering so many opportunities to study hard, work with others (such as my work as an RA), and apply what I am learning in my classes to actual athletes, I have been able to further my passion for working with and helping others, which is my goal for my future career.
WHAT IS THE BEST CLASS YOU’VE TAKEN AT LINFIELD? The best class I have taken at Linfield has been kinesiology. It was the first specific major class I took, and I loved learning how all the science classes I had taken connect with human movement and performance. It really got me excited about being an exercise science major and kick-started my love for the field.
WHO HAS BEEN THE GREATEST INSPIRATION IN YOUR LIFE? WHY HAS HE OR SHE BEEN SO INFLUENTIAL? My greatest inspiration is my mom and two older sisters. Growing up with these three incredible women as role models has allowed me to see so many different paths to and kinds of success. One of my biggest goals in life is to help other's better their own lives, which I hope to do as a future physical therapist. I believe I have this passion because I saw my mom and sisters doing so every single day in their own lives. Whether it be through their careers, their hobbies, the way each of them raise their children, or simply the way they care endlessly about all of the people in their lives, they do everything for the good of others. All three of them inspire me every single day, and I feel so empowered by their hard work and dedication to everything they do. I strive to make them proud, and to one day, be even close to the woman they each are.
WHEN NOT COMPETING IN SPORTS OR STUDYING FOR SCHOOL, I LIKE TO SPEND MY FREE TIME…Studying, working or with my residents, I love to hike and spend time outdoors. The Pacific Northwest is so beautiful, and I love to explore and be active. I also love to hang out with my friends, especially playing games or watching movies!
THE GREATEST LESSON THAT I’VE LEARNED WHILE COMPETING IN ATHLETICS AT LINFIELD HAS BEEN…Self-discipline makes all the difference. While my teammates obviously support me and encourage me and push me, no on other than myself is going to get me out of bed in the morning, make myself a healthy meal rather than going out, or spend extra time stretching and recovering. While I am by no means perfect at this, I recognize now after my first three years that the things that will make me a great athlete is really on me. This also applies to academics and my personal life, and I am sure will continue to apply into my future career.
While this is contradictory, I have also learned that relying on teammates means everything to this sport. Growing up, swimming is a very individual sport. At Linfield, it is far from that. I would not be the athlete or person I am today if it were not for the incredible role models I have had through my teammates, the endless support, love, and encouragement that we all offer each other in and out of the pool. Surrounding yourself by supportive peers is so important in anything you do.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR LINFIELD CAREER THUS FAR? The highlight of my Linfield Athletic career was my 100 butterfly race at our December meet in Las Vegas my sophomore year. 100 butterfly was a new event for me that I started developing when I came to Linfield and Coach Kyle Kimball really helped me develop my strength for butterfly. I improved a lot over my freshman year, and I was really wanting to break the 1:00 barrier in that race, but couldn't seem to my first year. Finally, at the UNLV Winter Invite, I managed to break that barrier that had been looming above me for a year. Since my junior year of high school, I had been at a bit of a plateau, and that race marked one of the first big time drops I had achieved in years, and it helped me re-gain confidence in the water and excitement for what was to come.
AS A LINFIELD STUDENT-ATHLETE, MY GOALS INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY FOR MY TEAM ARE... My goal this year is to be a part of a team that makes ourselves proud. I want us to finish the season knowing that no matter the outcome, we gave everything we had and performed our best. My goal for myself, as a senior, is to literally leave everything in the pool. I have been swimming most of my life, and this is my last year being competitive in the sport that has quite literally defined who I am as a person. I want to have no regrets, and feel like I gave this sport and this team everything I have left as an athlete.
