By Dustyn Green, Contributing Writer
Over the last two swimming and diving campaigns, rising junior strategic communications major Rachel Kimmel has begun molding herself into one of the best in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Kimmel, a Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania native and graduate of James Buchanan High School, began competing at a high level long before she began her voyage at St. Bonaventure University. She placed second in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association State Championships. On top of that, she broke the 100-meter breaststroke and 200-meter IM records and took part in two record-breaking relays.
These performances are what really started her journey to being a member of the swimming squad, and becoming a familiar face inside the pool located in the Reilly Center.
“My junior year, I got an email from (former head coach) Brian Thomas,” Kimmel said. “Whenever I came to visit St. Bonaventure, I was like ‘oh my god I love this school,’ I felt like I belonged here”
For Bonnies head coach Skip Nitardy, it goes far beyond her performances in the pool. One of the biggest things that stands out to him is the work ethic that Kimmel possesses.
“Her work ethic is outstanding. I have some rules where when you walk through the door you are focused on practice, she takes that to 100%,” Nitardy said.
It doesn’t matter what the circumstances present on any given day, hard work is always present in her arsenal. That mentality allowed big things to happen for Kimmel, and it all starts in the practice pool with Nitardy pushing her to her full potential.
“I was training hard all season, practices aren’t easy. Skip really pushes you,” Kimmel said.
She returned to the A-10 Championships for the second time in a row as a sophomore swimmer. She was able to pick up two silver medals, including the 200 breaststroke where she was able to shed three seconds off her time. Despite coming up short by a hundredth of a second, she could not be happier with the way that race unfolded.
“That race was amazing, I knew I was going to drop time; I had it all laid out in my head how I was gonna do it,” Kimmel said.
After a stellar performance on the conference stage, Kimmel planned to continue her training. She wanted to continue her journey to the next level. However, COVID-19 shut everything down and had other plans.
“That was a little stressful. I even called Skip a couple of times over the summer and said I’m not getting any training in. He said don’t worry you are going to be okay,” Kimmel said. “It was a love-hate thing with COVID, it was nice to take a break from swimming, but I could feel myself starting to get out of shape and it was driving me crazy.”
Despite not being able to get in the water to stay in shape and having to rely on dryland training and running, Nitardy still thinks that Kimmel will be able to hit the big stage for the third time.
“She has some big goals, I mean, she finished in the top three last year in both of her big individual events. She also finished her third event, which she keeps dropping time in, the 200 IM,” Nitardy said confidently.
Nitardy believes that a realistic goal for the stellar aquatic performer would be to put all three events in the top three at the conference level. The program is under the impression that other programs “are behind the same eight ball,” and they have the time to work out the kinks with the season not starting until January.
It has been a relatively slow process as the Bonnies prepare for the season to commence in January. According to Nitardy, normally by this time the team is “starting to turn the heat up,” but they are not able to do that yet.
Most athletes are usually concerned about making it to the highest level possible, no matter what the circumstances lead to. However, that will not come until later in the season for Kimmel. Her main focus is just getting back to the same level of shape she was in during the 2020 campaign.
There is one philosophy that the standout follows and is especially prevalent during the time of a global health crisis. It is simply “trust the process.” If you trust the process, great things will follow. Kimmel has been a true example of that over the last few seasons.
