Kennedy Lovell graduated Summa Cum Laude with a dual degree in English and Communication Studies in May of 2022, and is completing her master’s degree in literature.
Rocket Spotlight on...Kennedy Lovell
11/1/2023 12:10:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
On her involvement with UToledo SAAC, and her athletic and academic accomplishments over the past six years
Kennedy Lovell is a graduate student in her sixth year on the University of Toledo women's swimming & diving team who is completing her master's degree in literature. She is a two-time All-MAC honoree and holder of four program records. Outside of the pool, Lovell also served as the secretary and president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
On choosing to attend the University of Toledo
I came to Toledo because of the team culture and atmosphere. I went on four different visits and Toledo is the school that stuck out the most to me because of the swim team and as well as the campus atmosphere. The programs and academics offered were another big reason I chose Toledo.
On the team environment
The atmosphere we have this year is amazing. There is magic there and everyone is trusting the visions of Coach Brie Globig, Coach Noah Frederick, and Coach Gabby Han. A lot of this energy stems from the freshmen. They have a "let's go for it" attitude and it shows. I have never seen a group of people love Midnight Blue and Gold more than they do. Seeing potential in yourself and wanting to get better is the energy that is rubbing off on everyone. It is just another reminder of our own goals and to get after them. Overall, there is a supportive energy in the atmosphere where we know we can win.
On earning All-MAC honors last season
I came into the 2022-23 season with the mindset to improve from the previous year. The whole year I was training for conference and setting myself up for good races. The energy of the MACs was back to the energy it was before COVID. Parents were excited in the stands, and everyone was excited to race. I told myself I was going to give my best effort and see what I could do, and it ended up being one of my highest individual finishes. I was not thinking about what place I was going to receive, for me it was more of I felt good while I was swimming.
On being involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
I got involved in SAAC during my freshman year while I was a redshirt. After tagging along to meetings and challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone, I was nominated for secretary for SAAC. I learned a lot about myself, including what my strengths and weaknesses are. My time as SAAC President (from spring 2022 to spring 2023) was truly a time for me to find myself, but also to be a guide for others.
On the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum last spring
It was a whirlwind of events. Being selected by the Mid-American Conference to attend this leadership forum was an amazing experience. This event helped me realize how I can support people who have different experiences than I do, or who are on a different part of their journey. I have become a better leader and a better teammate from attending the leadership forum.
On her years at Toledo
While being an academic redshirt during my freshman year, my teammates made sure I was still a part of the team and was not excluded. Then followed COVID at the tail end of my second year, only having Zoom meetings with my team felt partially disconnected. It was hard to have a team atmosphere when we were all over the place.
It has been a long six years. University of Toledo Athletics has helped me heal my inner swimmer. Working closely with our coaching staff has helped me form a better relationship with swimming. Coming to Toledo has assisted me in figuring out what I want to do professionally and has shown me there are multiple opportunities out there. I am still figuring out what I exactly want to do. As I am trying to square some things away, I do want to keep swimming and supporting Toledo Athletics in the future.
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On choosing to attend the University of Toledo
I came to Toledo because of the team culture and atmosphere. I went on four different visits and Toledo is the school that stuck out the most to me because of the swim team and as well as the campus atmosphere. The programs and academics offered were another big reason I chose Toledo.
On the team environment
The atmosphere we have this year is amazing. There is magic there and everyone is trusting the visions of Coach Brie Globig, Coach Noah Frederick, and Coach Gabby Han. A lot of this energy stems from the freshmen. They have a "let's go for it" attitude and it shows. I have never seen a group of people love Midnight Blue and Gold more than they do. Seeing potential in yourself and wanting to get better is the energy that is rubbing off on everyone. It is just another reminder of our own goals and to get after them. Overall, there is a supportive energy in the atmosphere where we know we can win.
On earning All-MAC honors last season
I came into the 2022-23 season with the mindset to improve from the previous year. The whole year I was training for conference and setting myself up for good races. The energy of the MACs was back to the energy it was before COVID. Parents were excited in the stands, and everyone was excited to race. I told myself I was going to give my best effort and see what I could do, and it ended up being one of my highest individual finishes. I was not thinking about what place I was going to receive, for me it was more of I felt good while I was swimming.
On being involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
I got involved in SAAC during my freshman year while I was a redshirt. After tagging along to meetings and challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone, I was nominated for secretary for SAAC. I learned a lot about myself, including what my strengths and weaknesses are. My time as SAAC President (from spring 2022 to spring 2023) was truly a time for me to find myself, but also to be a guide for others.
On the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum last spring
It was a whirlwind of events. Being selected by the Mid-American Conference to attend this leadership forum was an amazing experience. This event helped me realize how I can support people who have different experiences than I do, or who are on a different part of their journey. I have become a better leader and a better teammate from attending the leadership forum.
On her years at Toledo
While being an academic redshirt during my freshman year, my teammates made sure I was still a part of the team and was not excluded. Then followed COVID at the tail end of my second year, only having Zoom meetings with my team felt partially disconnected. It was hard to have a team atmosphere when we were all over the place.
It has been a long six years. University of Toledo Athletics has helped me heal my inner swimmer. Working closely with our coaching staff has helped me form a better relationship with swimming. Coming to Toledo has assisted me in figuring out what I want to do professionally and has shown me there are multiple opportunities out there. I am still figuring out what I exactly want to do. As I am trying to square some things away, I do want to keep swimming and supporting Toledo Athletics in the future.
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Players Mentioned
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