Featured Freshman Friday: Hannah Driscoll
Freshman Hannah Driscoll comes to Kansas from Niwot, Colorado. As a two-sport athlete in high school playing soccer and swimming, Hannah chose to swim for KU because of the team environment and “family” feel. In this week’s Freshman Friday, KUAthletics.com sat down with Hannah as she’s still getting used to classes and making the transition from high school into the Jayhawk family.
Why did you decide to swim for KU?
The team was amazing, and they still are. They’re so close, and the environment is so positive, I love all of them. When I was deciding where to go, it was so important because we spend so much time together and I could honestly see myself living with these girls—eating, sleeping, swimming obviously. On my recruiting trip, we went to a baseball game which was so much fun, and we played ultimate Frisbee which I love. We just hung out and got to know each other which was great because there’s so many different personalities.
What are you looking forward to the most?
I have too much to look forward to right now. In the pool, I can’t wait for meets to start. I love competing; especially with this team… it’s going to be amazing.
Besides swimming, what are your hobbies?
I really like to hang out and spend time with my family, I love doing that. I like to hike and ride bikes, we’re right by the mountains so I get to do that a lot. Spending time with family and friends would have to be my favorite.
What is your favorite pool game?
I just learned how to play pool football. When we had recruits this weekend and we did it with them, it was a lot of fun. It’s right up there with water baseball, where you use kickboards as bats.
What has been your most memorable swimming moment so far?
There’s so many. I would have to say all the relays I’ve been on, because you’re with other people so you get to make memories all together. Specifically I remember this one relay and we were all so fired up for it, you just can’t compete with the energy we had. We did so well, all got best times, which is always so cool. It was at summer sectionals with my club team this past summer.
What was your favorite vacation?
That would have to be Hawaii with my family, because I love being around the water. We went snorkeling and just hung out on the beach. So without a doubt, I’m excited for the training trip this year.
The swimming & diving team will spend a week training in Honolulu in January.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
I already know I’m going to be a die-hard Jayhawk. I see myself as an occupational therapist. I’ll probably be in the pool too… maybe I’ll try some triathlons. But I’ll definitely be around the pool for a while.
What’s your favorite KU tradition?
I haven’t been to Late Night yet, but I’ve heard it’s amazing so I’m really looking forward to that. But my favorite tradition so far is probably waving the wheat. At the first football game, it was amazing to see. It was so cool.
What is your favorite food?
Without a doubt, I love blueberries.
What is your favorite song or music to get pumped up to?
I like rap music a lot. Eminem always has some good ones, 50 Cent never lets me down, those are my two go-to’s!
Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
My first name is Marjorie, not Hannah. Hannah is my middle name. But I can think of something better than that. If I could go back and try another sport, obviously I wouldn’t change swimming for anything, but I think it would be really fun to row, so I kind of want to go to the regattas and see what they’re doing over there!
Hannah and the KU swimming and diving team kick off the season on October 3 with the annual intrasquad meet at Robinson Natatorium. The team then hits the road for their first official meet on October 13 at University of Nebraska-Omaha.
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