Sara Cannady

By Katie Velebir
UWRF Sports Information

Sara Cannady is a junior at UW-River Falls and a fierce competitor with the Falcon swim team.

Head Coach Bill Henderson describes her attitude as, "positive" and "can-do." Cannady stands just five-feet, two-inches, but when it comes to size it really does not matter in Canady's case. "Her best quality is her quickness. She is cat-like in her reactions and very strong for her size," he explains.

Cannady enjoys swimming for several reasons. "I love the feeling you get after a hard workout and feeling the accomplishment you get when you push yourself past your limits. Both in practices and workouts, achieving something you dreamed about. And I love the smell of bromine/chlorine and hanging out with the team," Cannady explained.

When she isn't busy jumping into the pool that she describes as "too cold" she enjoys running, playing games, indulging in virtually any water sport and spending time with family and friends.

Cannady is a Christian and lives with her parents, Marie and Rick, and her two younger brothers, Chris and Patrick. She is extremely close with her family. "They mean more than anything to me. They have supported me through everything and I don't know what I would do without them," she explains.

Movies and music are not foreign to Cannady as she is well-versed in both. She enjoys comedies, especially those starting Chris Farley, Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, and Will Ferrell. She also enjoys "chick flicks," and last but not least, sport-themed movies. "They inspire me," she adds. Cannady enjoys all sorts of music. She favors Lonestar, Matchbox 20, Aerosmith, Nickleback, Kelly Clarkson and the Goo Goo Dolls.

Cannady has made many accomplishments throughout her academic career at UW-River Falls. She has made the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and Dean's List every semester. She has also received scholarships for academics and leadership. Last year the swim team named her Most Inspirational and to top it all off she will graduate with her undergraduate degree in three years.

The memories of being on the swim team are what Cannady will reflect on most when her career comes to the end. "What you will remember aren't going to be the times and places, it is the memories you made along the way. It is the friendships you make and the goofy and crazy things you do," Cannady said.

Cannady plans on graduating next year with a degree in communicative disorders and a minor in coaching. She plans on sticking around to complete two years of graduate school at UW-River Falls. After that she would like to be a speech therapist at a nursing home, elementary school or a hospital.