Most Valuable Athlete: Athena Ye

Name: Athena Ye

School: Rosary, senior

Sport: Swimming

Why she was selected: Ye finished an outstanding prep swimming career at the state finals over the weekend. Ye, who will swim collegiately at Harvard, won the state championship in the 100-yard butterfly, her second career state title, for team runner-up Rosary.

Ye caught up with Chronicle sports reporter Jacob Bartelson to talk about her performance, and her career.

Bartelson: You’re the fourth swimmer in school history to win state titles in multiple individual events. What does that mean to you?

Ye: To be able to join the company of these legends feels like a dream to me. I never would have imagined hearing my name among these amazing Rosary alumni. It is truly something special to me!

Bartelson: Overall, the team has been outstanding for so long. How do you put the collective team success into perspective?

Ye: The love that we have for each other really keeps us grounded. Keeping a high level of intensity as a team is a hard thing to do, so for the past four years, we’ve really just been trying to attack every practice together like it’s our last. We all know we’re living in a remarkable time for Rosary’s history, so at the end of the day it’s all about having fun and being a family.

Bartelson: Knowing what you know now, if you could talk to yourself four years ago, what would you say?

Ye: My freshman year, I was incredibly uptight and anxious, so I would tell my younger self just to have fun and enjoy the moment. It sounds cheesy, but it’s so true! Someday you’ll look back at where you are now and think “those were the good old days,” so take in every second and enjoy it.

Bartelson: How excited are you for the next steps at college?

Ye: I am so incredibly excited to be able to continue my academic and athletic careers at Harvard University! My high school coaches have taught me so many life lessons that will be invaluable to me in college. I’m ready to see what the future holds!