The Swimming Scene: Hetzer no longer nervous

It’s hard to imagine a time when Nicole Hetzer was nervous about being in the pool. Afterall, the standout sophomore swam the anchor leg on the winning 200-free relay (1:37.99) and was part of the third place 200-medley relay (1:50.16) at the Federation State Championship.

But after finally joining a swim team in second grade—Hetzer’s foray into swimming was delayed several years as her family welcomed a baby into the household—she found herself uneasy in the water.

“When I first started I was a little nervous ‘cause I didn’t know anyone and I didn’t know the strokes,” she said. “But then you get to a point where you’re dropping so much time and it’s like, ‘Oh my God, I love this. This is great.’”

Hetzer is now part of a dynamic duo with Mikaila Gaffey, trying to lead Connetquot past 18-time champion Ward Melville at the Suffolk finals this year. After only four meets, Hetzer’s already qualified for states in the 200 IM (2:13.06), an event she won at last year’s Suffolk finals.

Hetzer said she asked a thousand times to be on a swim team when she was young. Now, with her as a leader, she might be on THE team.