Junior swimmer Presley Wetterstrom’s work ethic is unmatched.

“Every day, we can turn our back and know that Presley is doing the right thing,” assistant coach Adriana Quirke said. “Her intrinsic motivation is unmatched.”

Wetterstrom, originally from Colfax, Calif., began her swimming career on a recreational team when she was 10 years-old. After four years on her recreational team, Wetterstrom joined a year-round team that was 45 minutes from her new home in Roseville, Calif.

Wetterstrom swam with her year-round team from eighth grade to the end of her senior year of high school. During that time the possibility of participating in college athletics in the future didn’t cross her mind once, she said.

“I really was doing it for fun at first. Even when I was swimming year-round, I didn’t think about college and didn’t think I was good enough,” Wetterstrom said.

When WSU swimming Head Coach Tom Jager first recruited Wetterstrom, it was accidental. Jager was in the process of recruiting another WSU swimmer, junior Loree Olson, when he noticed Wetterstrom’s talents and potential.

 “She earned her scholarship that day because she did what I expected,” Jager said. “What impressed me most about Presley is when I arrived at the pool deck; her effort was through the roof.”

Wetterstrom, recruited at the time by the University of Hawaii in addition to WSU, enjoyed the thought of coming to Pullman during her recruit trip in October of her senior year of high school. While Wetterstrom was unsure at the time of whether or not she wanted to swim in college, the tight-knit community of the WSU swimming program received her attention immediately.

“I loved the environment, the whole town is Cougs,” Wetterstrom said. “The team does everything together, and I loved that.”

Wetterstrom has made her mark on the program in many ways, especially with the underclassmen. Wetterstrom mentioned how she sets an example with how she works in practice, how she performs in meets, and makes sure each of her teammates are working at the highest level possible.

Before meets, Wetterstrom avoids eating turkey sandwiches to help conserve energy, and naps to relax and have the maximum amount of energy possible. The team also participates in warmups as a team before competition, which helps with team chemistry and unity, Wetterstrom said.

Outside of the pool, Wetterstrom enjoys visiting her hometown, exercising, and enjoying the outdoors. Wetterstrom also takes academics very seriously, and is the prime example of what it means to be a student-athlete.

“I’ve never gotten a ‘B’ grade ever,” Wetterstrom said. “I never go to bed without finishing my homework; I’ve always worked very hard.”

This season, Wetterstrom hopes to work towards the possibility of qualifying for the NCAA Championships. This summer, Wetterstrom swam with her club team back in her hometown, and also participated in the Santa Clara Grand Prix, an international swimming competition featuring athletes such as Olympic champion Michael Phelps.

Wetterstrom’s relentless work ethic helps represent the WSU swimming program in the best way possible.

“She is Cougar swimming,” Jager said. “She is very selfless, she leads by example, and she constantly shows signs of a champion.”