Tia Felts

By Shawna Carpentier
UWRF Sports Information

"I have been swimming since I can even remember," says Falcon swimmer Tia Felts.

Felts was born in South Korea and was adopted along with her twin sister, Tiffany, and older sister Tami at three months old. Richard and Judy Felts of Shawano, Wis., brought Felts to the United States giving her parents, but also introducing her to swimming; something that would change her life. Felt's parents enrolled Felts and her sisters in swimming lessons as babies and she says, "it came naturally."

When Felts was six she began swimming competitively on the Appleton YMCA Club team. She swam for Shawano Community High School and was named MVP her freshman year. During her junior and senior years, Felts provided her team with leadership as a captain. In 2004, she was honored with the title of Senior Swimmer of the Year in the Bay Conference.

"I do like the competition, being active and staying in shape, but I like the team aspect and getting to meet new people," expresses Felts, "it's just fun."  

Now a junior, Felts transferred to River Falls from the Milwaukee School of Engineering after her freshman year of college. MSOE does not have a swim team and after Felts realized that River Falls has a swim team, she said, "I'm swimming. I missed it way too much," says Felts.

Felts was named one of the captains of the women's team this season. "I watch out for the team and make sure they are doing what they are suppose to," she says. Bill Henderson, head coach of UWRF swimming and diving, says that Felts is already showing strong leadership abilities. "Tia is one of the hardest working and most selfless members of the team," says Henderson.

Beyond doing her best as she competes in the IM and backstroke this season, Felts expresses that she has responsibility as a member of the team. She says that she and her teammates will be "working hard" and giving "all effort" this season. Most importantly, Felts says that "being a team, cheering each other on and building [each other's] self esteem," is a key component of the swim team's success. According to Felts, it is about "building trust."  

Focusing on her diet during swim season makes her "health conscious," advises Felts. "I eat a lot of carbs, try not to eat candy or drink soda," she says.  

Besides helping Felts to eat healthy, Felts credits swimming for her grades. Having too much time on her hands after swim season can be a problem for Felts, but during the season she practices time management and manages her workload. Majoring in biology with a minor in math, Felts believes swimming has "taught me discipline and responsibility."  

Felts uses these attributes as a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She and a few other River Falls student athletes will be attending the Chicago convention for Div. III schools in a few weeks.  

Coaching swimming is something Felts may like to do and she shares advice with those who want to become involved in swimming. "If you want to be a swimmer, take swim lessons and be a part of a club," she advises, "Don't give up and the more you do, the more you will accomplish."

When she is not swimming her self or watching Olympic swimmers Amanda Beard and Michael Phelps swim, Felts turns to her second passion music. Playing the viola has been a part of her life since she was two years old and Felts says that if time would allow she would be in the community orchestra.  

Regarding her future, Felts plans on attending graduate school and getting a job at a hospital somewhere in the Midwest. She would also love to travel back to her birthplace in South Korea and explore Europe and Australia.

But for now Felts says, "I would like swimming to be promoted more on campus, swimming can be exciting. I don't think people know how much heart and dedication it takes," she expresses, "swimming is viewed as easy, but we have to work our butts off to get there."  

"I am so glad she is on the squad," expresses Henderson who is anticipating some good drops in Felt's times this season.