A sisterly bond goes beyond the swimming lanes.
Corrin Van Lanen loves her teammates — especially junior Carrie Dukes — and pancakes.
Van Lanen, a freshman, probably loves the junior because she made Van Lanen pancakes.
“Recently, Carrie made (some of the freshmen) dinner, pancakes, so that was good bonding time,” Van Lanen said.
Dukes has the same feelings for Van Lanen as Van Lanen does for her.
“I think we’re kind of like the same person, so it just kind of clicked,” Dukes said. “She’s just like how I was freshman year. It’s hard coming in as a freshman, especially in the summer, leaving home before all the other freshman got here and right away she stuck out to me."
“The first couple of practices I was just goofing around with her, and the friendship just kind of started, and it’s just been fun ever since.”
The two always seem to be together, according to coach Rachel Komisarz-Baugh.
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“Carrie took her under her wing a little bit, I think it’s like a ‘big-sis-little-sis’ kind of relationship,” Komisarz-Baugh said. “They kind of do a lot together, so it’s that all-around support.”
Komisarz-Baugh said the relationship the two swimmers have developed has been beneficial not only to the team, but it even allows the coach to step back and let the swimmers handle situations together.
The “big-sis-little-sis” relationship continues out of the pool, as well as in.
“I’d say Corrin is really dedicated,” Dukes said. “ I can see her putting in the effort every day. She is always motivated to keep doing her thing.”
As occasional relay-mates, their strong relationship is contagious.
“The relationship we have spreads to other teammates,” Dukes said. “They see how close we are, how dedicated we are, how much we appreciate each other. I think that spreads to other relay members, and also the entire team. Our relationship doesn’t just impact the relay, it impacts the team and the atmosphere throughout.”
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The two also bond over religion. It is important to both of them in everyday life and in the pool. They attend AIA, Athletes In Action, together, an organization that uses sports to answer questions of faith.
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