Golden Knight Spotlight is a student-athlete profile series run by Alexander Lawrence ’18 in coordination with Golden Knights Athletics staff.
Jessica McMillen (center) with her family, signing her letter of intent to swim at Saint Rose
Jessica McMillen
Sport: Swimming and Diving
Hometown: Wynantskill, NY
Class Year: 2018
Major: Biology
Favorite study spot: My room
Favorite food: Martha’s ice cream
One interesting fact about yourself: I’ve never been to Disney
What set SR apart from other schools: “Both my brothers went to school locally and it was closer to my parents.”
Why SR Swimming and Diving: “I was recruited here. I went on a lot of recruiting trips and I really liked the team and thought it was the best fit for me.”
Most memorable moment or game: “My junior year of high school I was the Section II 100-yard backstroke champion and qualified for states. It was something I worked a really long-time for and it was an incredible feeling for me because all my hard work finally paid off.”
How you got involved: “I was two-years-old when I first jumped in my grandparents pool. I swam from the shallow end to the deep end. I just loved swimming and started competitively swimming at the local YMCA. My dad played football and both my brothers did cross country and track. My brother Taylor has all the throwing records at Sage.”
Do you have a saying or motto you live by: “Something my dad always tells me is ‘Don’t just go through the motions, always have a purpose for what you’re doing’ and I still follow that.”
Where you draw your inspiration from: “My parents and grandpa.”
How do you prepare before a game: “I always have a check list to make sure I don’t forget anything I need and I set time goals for my events before the meet.”
What are you looking to accomplish this year: “As a team I want us to have an undefeated record and finish in the top three at the Northeast-10 Conference Championships. Personally, I want to set a lot of personal times in different events and make it on the record board.”
Jessica (left) and fellow teammate Mckenzie Keddy (right) at a training trip in Puerto Rico.
My Comments/ takeaway from the interview: Jessica McMillen is a second-year swimmer and biology major at The College of Saint Rose. She is primarily a backstroke and free style swimmer. “As a first-year student coming to a new team I felt really welcomed and I was able to make instantaneous friendships. I thought we had a strong and diverse group of swimmers and really good team comradery. Now I think we have a lot more experience especially the second-year swimmers and know what we want to accomplish this upcoming season. Going forward I think we have to fix little things and we’re ready to fill in the shoes for the people we lost last year,” McMillen said. “Out of the pool I think being on a team is great, especially as a first-year student, because right away when they get on campus they have a group they can identify with. There’s just always someone there to help you if needed. In the pool we have support for one another and help each other push through the hard practice,” McMillen said about the team. Jess is really proud to be on the team and she’s swimming for a purpose. During my interview with her I felt her need to compete and dedication towards swimming. She’s a very sweet person in and out of the pool and gave me a great vibe when talking to her, but don’t underestimate her in the pool. I think she has a bright future ahead of her because she knows how to properly train.
McMillen competing
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