NU freshman Morris enjoys supportive atmosphere on swim team

Following Saturday's victory against Iowa State, Nebraska swimmer Natalie Morris was filled with energy and enthusiasm. Morris was happy with the outcome of the meet and her individual successes. But Morris' greatest excitement wasn't about these accomplishments — it was about her teammates.

"I am so blessed to be on this team, everyone here is so nice," Morris said.

The freshman from Olathe, Kan., has been a vital addition to the Huskers' lineup this season. She showed her strong point-scoring presence last weekend when Morris finished first in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:06.65, and a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly behind teammate Shannon Guy with a time of 58.04.

Her performance in the 200-yard butterfly exemplified her improvement throughout this season. After racing neck and neck with Iowa State's Elizabeth Kleiner for the first half of the event, Morris quickened her pace to surge ahead of Kleiner at the 125-yard mark, finishing an almost full 3 seconds ahead of her.

And for motivation in that race, Morris looked towards her teammates.

"When I saw all of my teammates cheering for me at the other end of the pool, it helped keep me going," Morris said. "They were definitely the ones that got me through it."

As a freshmen competing for some of the top spots on the team can be intimidating at the college level. But Morris says that the welcoming atmosphere at Nebraska made for a smooth transition.

"Just like the team was there for me this year, I don't want the incoming freshmen next year to be scared of the college level," Morris said.

Morris had her fill of achievements in high school, preparing her for the college competition. Morris earned All-State honors her senior year and accumulated three Kansas state swimming championships. Two of these came in the 100-yard butterfly, while the other came with some of her teammates in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

With those accomplishments, Morris had a tough choice with her college decision — swimming for the Huskers or for her home state school Kansas. But for Morris, it was Nebraska's team atmosphere that sealed her decision.

"I chose Nebraska because of the team and the coaches. Never have I had coaches as nice as these ones," Morris said.

While Morris said she came from a difficult club team which helped her prepare for swimming with the Huskers, her fellow teammates have made all the difference. The most difficult part of coming to the college level according to Morris has been all of the dry land and weight training aspects, but the motivation of her teammates has helped her get through that.

NU coach Pablo Morales also recognizes the valuable team chemistry in the Huskers' locker room.

"Swimming is made up largely of individual aspects, but the team aspect is such an important element," Morales said. "You really start to see a difference when you use that team aspect."

With such a long competition-filled season, it can be hard to find room for improvement.

"Swimming is such a delay of gratification," Morales said. "Sometimes you can work so hard throughout the season but may not see the results you are looking for until the end of the season."

After not seeing the times that she wanted to the last couple of meets, Morris perseverance started to show some improvement this week, and this was due in large part to her teammates continuing to push her.

"People here motivate you day in and day out," Morris said. "Sometimes I'm not so focused, but then I remember the team and all of the goals that I want to accomplish to bring me back into focus."

With Morris' long swimming career that began at age seven, it can be especially hard to continue to keep that focus. Morris says she has made so many friends and has so much passion for the sport that she never really thought about quitting.

"I just want to keep improving every year and continue to place higher and higher," Morris said.

angelahensel@dailynebraskan.com