Joseph claims 1st swimming title for McDonald High

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Katie Joseph

Top Athlete: Katie Joseph

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More than a month after the biggest moment of her athletic career, McDonald senior Katie Joseph was asked two questions about winning the 100-yard freestyle at the Division II state meet.

Was there a tape? (Yes.)

Has she watched it? (No.)

“I’m too nervous,” she said, laughing.

If the tape is anything like her memory, it’ll show her getting up on the blocks, then a few minutes of black screen, then a cut to her getting the gold medal from her swimming coach, Frank Supancic.

“It’s definitely a blur,” she said. “I kind of have to get into a zone [for races].

“I honestly don’t remember much except when Frank put the medal on me. I think that was a really special moment and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.”

But Joseph, who’s known for keeping an even keel, didn’t do much more than smile afterward.

“It didn’t really register at first,” she said. “It didn’t seem real, almost. It was always a dream of mine and it didn’t sink in until a few days afterward.

“I got a lot of response [from people at McDonald]. Everyone was really supportive. It’s kind of cool because we’ve never had a state champion swimmer, so I was really proud I could bring it back to McDonald.”

Because McDonald doesn’t have a swim team, Joseph spent four years training with Supancic with fellow swimming orphans Jordan Moxley (Maplewood) and Emilee Gysegem (Lakeview).

Together, they won two state titles and made the podium (i.e. top eight at state) a staggering 22 times.

“That was one of the best decisions of my life, to train with them and Coach Frank,” said Joseph, who will swim at Gannon next year. “I feel really lucky.”