Junior Alee Vukovics has loved swimming since she was 8 years old. Born and raised in San Diego, California, she was constantly immersed in sunny weather and welcoming waves as a child. She found it natural to get into competitive swimming, saying, “Swim has affected my life by giving me an outlet. When I was stressed, sad or angry; it gave me a way to relax and just think.”

Vukovics participated in swimming and water polo this year. She plans on continuing her swimming and water polo career throughout her senior year.

Although Vukovics loves swimming with a passion, she won’t be swimming in college. “I’m not planning on swimming because my major [nursing] is going to keep me really busy,” Vukovics said. Though her potential major will cause a break in her swimming career, for now, she always finds herself in the water whenever anything gets stressful or she just needs an escape from reality.