On Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, Quakertown seniors Kaylee Heimes and Alex Keeny were recognized for committing to continue their swimming careers at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Kaylee Heimes – University of Illinois (Swimming)
Major: Meteorology
Final list of colleges: Illinois, Penn State, Wyoming
Reasons for choosing Illinois: “The team was very energetic, very supportive, and it’s a smaller team that’s competitive as well, so I liked how close-knit the team was and just always being there for each other.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in swimming at the collegiate level? “I have always known I wanted to swim in college. It was just a matter of where. A little bit less than a year ago, I searched colleges that had my major and who had DI swimming because I knew I wanted to go DI. I narrowed down the list, I contacted the coaches, and it just fell into place.”
Coach Mike Peters says: “Kaylee is an incredibly strong swimmer. Kaylee sets her mind to winning and makes it happen. Kaylee has a never-quit attitude and endless amount of energy and passion for swimming. Kaylee owns several team records, including the 50 free, the 100 free and the 100 back, and she is also a member of the record-setting 200 medley relay, 200 free relay and 400 free relay teams. In addition to setting new team records, Kaylee has also broken pool records around the league in the 100 backstroke. Not only is Kaylee all over our record board, she’s also on the record boards of other teams as well. Kaylee has also placed in the top three at the league championship meet and qualified for districts each of the past three years. Last year, she finished 10th overall in the 100 backstroke at the district meet, which earned her a place in the state meet at Bucknell University. In doing so, Kaylee was the first swimmer in the history of Quakertown swimming to compete in the state meet where she finished 14th overall. Next year Kaylee will be joining the Fighting Illini. The team and I could not be more proud of Kaylee and everything she has accomplished. It has been an honor having both Kaylee and Alex on the team. Thank you for your leadership and dedication to swimming.”
About Kaylee:
Favorite food: Ice Cream
Favorite movie: One Mile to You
Favorite music: Country
Alex Keeny – Misericordia University (Swimming)
Major: Physical Therapy
Final list of colleges: Misericordia, Maine, St. Francis
Reasons for choosing Misericordia: “I had no intentions of going to Misericordia at first. I was looking at bigger schools, DI schools. What made me really want to go there was meeting the team, first of all. They were really fun people, and the coach also seemed very individualized on his swimmers. He also seemed very 
interested in me, the most interested out of all the schools I was looking at. I want to major in physical therapy, so being a DIII swimmer is going to let me have the most focus on swimming and academics as possible and not be overrun with everything. I just wanted the overall college experience.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in swimming at the collegiate level? “I have honestly wanted to swim in college since I started swimming. I just never wanted to quit. It’s always been a major goal for me.”
Coach Mike Peters says: “Alex is another incredibly strong swimmer and a fierce competitor. She holds herself to a very high standard. She sets lofty goals and works tirelessly to achieve them. Alex has placed in the top three at the league championship meet, qualified for the district meet in the 200 free and 500 free. Alex has set new teams records in the 200 free, 500 free and 200 butterfly, and she’s a member of the record-setting 200 medley relay, 200 free relay and 400 free relay. It’s quite an accomplishment. Alex is all over the record board. The team and I are incredibly proud of Alex and everything she has done so far in her high school career, and next year we’re excited to follow her continued success as she swims for Misericordia University.”
About Alex:
Favorite food: Anything Buffalo Chicken
Favorite movie: Monsters, Inc.
Favorite music: Alternative Rock/Hard Rock
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