Zeeland’s Natalie Lauritzen has emerged as one in every of state’s high swimmers

ZEELAND – As Natalie Lauritzen regarded round at her competitors, she lastly understood her potential.

The Zeeland swimmer had simply completed her freshman yr and was chosen to swim on the USA Swimming Futures meet in Madison, Wisconsin.

The meet was stuffed with rising stars among the many highschool age swimmers within the nation.

Lauritzen is one in every of them, probably the greatest swimmers within the state.

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That is typically troublesome to recollect when she is swimming daily in follow with arguably the most effective swimmer within the state in teammate Madison Ensing.

“She went to Futures which was a big step up,” Zeeland coach Drew Scheerhorn stated. “She is training with Maddie, it is pushing her really hard and she is not backing down.”

Lauritzen realized rather a lot at Futures out and in of the water.

“Futures was the best experience of my life. It was a little nerve-wracking at first, but it was really fun. I got to swim against a bunch of new faces. It gave me a lot of confidence,” Lauritzen stated. “I learned that swimming with ‘bricks on your shoulders’ is quite difficult and when you lose the bricks by swimming free and happy, it becomes a lot more enjoyable and better.

“I really feel just like the coaching has actually helped my versatility. Pretending Maddie is subsequent to me throughout races helps me keep centered.”

And why not? She swims subsequent to Ensing daily in follow.

“Natalie is nice to have in follow. She positively places the work in and is bubbly and optimistic on a regular basis. We work nicely collectively in coaching,” Ensing said.

Lauritzen had a strong freshman season, finishing ninth in the 100-yard backstroke at the Division 1 state meet, and was also a key relay contributor.

As her potential grew, so did her power. Lauritzen made power coaching a spotlight and it has proven in her efficiency this season.

“I began lifting this summer season and that has been an enormous assist,” she said. “I’ve actually labored on my turns. They have been actually unhealthy originally of the season. Swimming with Maddie helps all of the little issues since you need to sustain along with her.”

She already was tall with long arms. Now, she has added a layer of muscle that is paying off.

“Natalie is doing a little weight lifting exterior of what the crew is doing. You can positively inform that she is stronger,” Scheerhorn said.

In addition to her strength, Lauritzen has proved to be able to swim nearly every event at an elite level in the state. That will pay off big time at the state meet as Scheerhorn makes his lineup.

“We are going to see which occasions she is going to line as much as rating probably the most factors with on the finish of the season. She has proven huge enhancements,” Scheerhorn said. “She will probably be an enormous a part of how we do at state. She is an important a part of any relay. She offers us plenty of choices along with her versatility.”

Lauritzen experienced success at her first state meet, but it was a huge meet for Ensing and the team. Ensing won the state title in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events.

“That was so thrilling. It made our crew really feel stronger. It hyped us all up. It made us nearer. Her successful – all of us took that as a win,” Lauritzen said.

Now, the team is looking for a bigger win with a goal of winning a team trophy (top four) at the state meet.

“A crew trophy at state is the aim. It may be very motivating and we now have plenty of women who’ve plenty of potential,” she said. “We are simply getting began.”

Contact sports activities editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, previously generally known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.