Kim Paton Fromberg
Northwestern - Swimming & Diving - 1992-1995

My experience as a Big Ten student athlete was life changing. Before I swam for Northwestern I competed as a member of the Canadian National Team. My national team events, including Pan-American Games in Cuba, could not equate with the team I participated on at Northwestern, and as a Big Ten swimmer.

Our first training camp was in Chicago in the winter. I was less than thrilled to be having a swim camp in icy weather, yet it was the happiest training trip I had experienced. Who thought hanging out in a hotel room and seeing the Nutcracker could be so fun? I realized what it was like to be a part of a team; the synergy was amazing. It was at my first Big Ten Championships that I began to learn more about the amazing friendships that can develop through competition. At home, I used to hate every person I raced. In the Big Ten I embraced them. After winning a silver medal, I hugged the gold medalist. Fran McDermid from Penn State had become my friend. My rivals from Northwestern, Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State all had names and faces now. One swimmer, Jocelyn Jay, was from my home town and competed for Ohio State. We used to be vengeful competitors. Now we are best friends. She was a bridesmaid at my wedding.

Of course I will always remember the purple wildcat roar carrying me to three wins and a pool record in 1993/94 Big Tens. I will take those plaques and my NCAA times and I will put them in a box. However, the friendships that began with my first practice to gold will grow through my journey of life. The team that I became a member of at Northwestern is my most cherished victory.