Indian Hills senior Katie Lawrence won 8 individual gold medals at the Bergen County Meet of Champions, a record that can only be tied and never broken.
OAKLAND – It’s all about the timing for a coach. All of them in every sport hope to get that shot to coach that one generational athlete that comes through the halls of the high school while he or she is in charge of a program. For some, actually probably most, that talent never comes. For Indian Hills swim coach Bryan McDonnell, her name is Katie Lawrence.
The senior sprinter just wrapped up her Bergen County swimming career with an unprecedented eighth individual gold medal at the Bergen Meet of Champions. Since a swimmer can only enter two races per year, Lawrence’s mark can never be surpassed only tied. She is the first in that meet’s illustrious history to finish first in every individual race she entered, breaking the previous record of seven set by IHA legend Bryeanne Ravettine. Throw in two golds in relays and she has 10 in total at the BMOC.
Lawrence, a senior from Wyckoff, is also a 4-time national champion on the club circuit, owns eight Indian Hills school records, one Bergen County record and will swim next year in the ACC at North Carolina State University.
“It’s been really, really awesome to see. Every coach dreams of getting to coach that kid that transcends the sport and Katie has done that since Day 1,” said McDonnell, who is in his 15th season as Indian Hills head coach and has a combined 192 wins (100 girls, 92 boys). “It’s been a fun ride the last four years just watching Katie dominate in the pool. There is not a lot you can say to describe it other than it is incredible.”
McDonnell, once the aquatics director at the Wyckoff Y, saw the talent long ago and has helped nurture it along the way. He is part of her origin story.
“I used to take lessons at the Y and there was a meet for all of the kids that took lessons. All of a sudden I had a bunch of first place ribbons and I was kind of confused because I didn’t win any races,” said Lawrence. “My dad asked Brian why and he said it was because I did so well against boys and suggested I try out for the club. I made the team and that is where it all started.”
She hit the water and it has been full speed ever since. Lawrence is a versatile swimmer whose 8 individual medals come in five different disciplines. She was won the 50 and 100 meter freestyle two times each, won two golds in the backstroke and one in the 200-meter individual medley.
Indian Hills record board contains the name Katie Lawrence 8 times.
Lawrence chose Indian Hills to be a part of the medical program and has helped raise the profile of the whole athletic program in the intervening years. And the athletic department has done its best to return the favor.
“Katie makes it very easy. I am not just saying this to gas her up because she is sitting right in front of me, she is one of the greatest kids that I have ever come across and I have been in education for 20 years,” said Indian Hills athletic director Jon Duncan. “She is well-rounded. In addition to all she has done in the pool, she is volunteering, she is at the elementary school, in the middle school talking to the younger kids and she is humble. She doesn’t wear it. She wins meets and she just gets out of the pool. She doesn’t show emotion, she acts like she has been there before.”
The humility came through during the conversation when Lawrence felt the need to interject that she is no longer a part of the medical program at Indian Hills, somehow providing proof that she is not perfect. Lawrence will major in psychology at NC State and will be all in on trying to see how far swimming can take her.
She has big goals, but knows there is a progression that needs to be followed. Lawrence is looking forward to being a part of the grind. Clock don’t lie and swimming is a meritocracy. Fastest swimmers swim.
“There are 30 girls on the NC State team, but the travel team is 18 girls including divers. I would love to be on that travel team. That is not my dream or my ultimate goal, but going into college that is one of the things that I am aiming for,” said Lawrence. “My long term, bigger goals I’d say are US National Team, Olympics for a relay or individual event. I would love to go for a relay. I think it is really important to be a team player and be a part of something.”
She has been a part of so much at Indian Hills, both wet and dry.
“It is undeniable what her speed has done for the program, but Katie has been someone that has been so important in bringing the team together, too. At counties I was standing behind the blocks and I heard some kids say, ‘Oh, that is Katie Lawrence,” said McDonnell. “On our team you will see her talking to the freshmen, the sophomores, the juniors. It doesn’t matter. I can tell you that there is some disparity between Katie and other kids on the team, but she is there for everyone. She doesn’t just show up and race; she is really a part of the team.”
Lawrence’s final words of the interview also revealed more of her character.
“A big part of my success has been my parents [Ellen and Christopher]. They have supported me through everything, taking time off of work and just always being there,” said Lawrence. “I love my Dad, but when he is at a meet, sometimes he misses my races because he doesn’t always know how it works. My mom has been my rock, she is just…I am just so grateful for her.”
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