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COLLEGE SWIMMING: OWEGO'S SHOEN WILL FACE DIVISION I POOL CHALLENGE (2020-04-07)

BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — Katie Shoen will be looking to make her presence in the pool felt at the Division I level when she attends Eastern Michigan University this fall.

The Owego three-sport athlete will be on the women's swimming and diving team, coming off an impressive final campaign for the Indians last fall. The senior standout posted a 13-0 record in individual dual meet races and went 11-2 in dual meet relays. Shoen was 10-2 when teaming with Ashleigh Gault, Jennifer Scott and Emma Stephenson, the only setbacks coming against Class A powerhouse Ithaca.

At the Elmira Invitational, the quartet won the Class B 200-yard medley relay and 200 free relay, and Shoen won the 50 and 100 individual free titles, besting the state qualifying cut time in the 50.

The Indians' won the Section IV Class B 200 medley and 200 free relay titles, and Shoen was second in the 100 free, eclipsing the state cut time. She would qualify for states in the 50 free (at Elmira), 100 free and the medley relay.

Shoen competed in seven of the eight individual events and all three relays during her senior season.

Not only is Shoen ready to take on Big Ten and Division I competition, she is also ready to take on the challenge of college academics.

"I’m going to major in Actuarial Science and Economics with a minor in Computer Science because I’ve always been interested in math, specifically statistics, and knowledge in computer science will help me in my profession and give me a stronger background," she said. "This major and program will challenge me, but I’m looking forward to learning more. I was attracted to Eastern Michigan mostly because of the actuary program, as this was one of the only colleges I saw that had a major that was also tied into Economics, something I am also interested in and that would be helpful to learn about.

"I also knew being a part of the swim team would challenge me to become the best athlete I can, and I’m very glad I get to be a part of it."

Shoen didn't receive an athletic scholarship for swimming, but took advantage of an academic scholarship offer and EMU's other offerings.

"I eventually chose Eastern Michigan after my official visit, because the team made me feel so welcome and at home, and I knew that I would love the next four years with the people and the community," she said. "Eastern Michigan was also the most affordable, as I received their largest academic scholarship and they don’t charge out-of-state tuition.

"I have signed a letter of intent for Eastern, but not the NLI as I won’t be receiving an athletic scholarship. If I perform well enough in the future, it is still possible to get an athletic scholarship."

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